Chapter XVIII

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

From this reading A RUNAWAY PLANE The four lads had not progressed more than a couple of hundred yards, however, when suddenly and without warning, apparently out of nowhere, there developed one of those sporadic but furious wind storms which in reality are miniature hurricanes, though seldom doing any real damage.

at or in the front

From this reading Over the crest of the hill ahead of them appeared what at first seemed to be nothing more than a heavy mist.

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

From this reading A RUNAWAY PLANE The four lads had not progressed more than a couple of hundred yards, however, when suddenly and without warning, apparently out of nowhere, there developed one of those sporadic but furious wind storms which in reality are miniature hurricanes, though seldom doing any real damage.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading A RUNAWAY PLANE The four lads had not progressed more than a couple of hundred yards, however, when suddenly and without warning, apparently out of nowhere, there developed one of those sporadic but furious wind storms which in reality are miniature hurricanes, though seldom doing any real damage.

from appearances alone

From this reading A RUNAWAY PLANE The four lads had not progressed more than a couple of hundred yards, however, when suddenly and without warning, apparently out of nowhere, there developed one of those sporadic but furious wind storms which in reality are miniature hurricanes, though seldom doing any real damage.

past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Over the crest of the hill ahead of them appeared what at first seemed to be nothing more than a heavy mist.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading A RUNAWAY PLANE The four lads had not progressed more than a couple of hundred yards, however, when suddenly and without warning, apparently out of nowhere, there developed one of those sporadic but furious wind storms which in reality are miniature hurricanes, though seldom doing any real damage.

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

From this reading But this was only the forerunner, the vanguard, so to speak, of something more substantial to follow--as the four young men speedily learned.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Over the crest of the hill ahead of them appeared what at first seemed to be nothing more than a heavy mist.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading As a matter of fact, for several seconds it failed to attract any attention.

direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes

From this reading As a matter of fact, for several seconds it failed to attract any attention.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading It started with what seemed to be but a slight puff of wind, which went zephyring merrily on its innocent way.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading A RUNAWAY PLANE The four lads had not progressed more than a couple of hundred yards, however, when suddenly and without warning, apparently out of nowhere, there developed one of those sporadic but furious wind storms which in reality are miniature hurricanes, though seldom doing any real damage.

a pair who associate with one another

From this reading A RUNAWAY PLANE The four lads had not progressed more than a couple of hundred yards, however, when suddenly and without warning, apparently out of nowhere, there developed one of those sporadic but furious wind storms which in reality are miniature hurricanes, though seldom doing any real damage.

the top line of a hill, mountain, or wave

From this reading Over the crest of the hill ahead of them appeared what at first seemed to be nothing more than a heavy mist.

the occurrence of a change for the worse

From this reading A RUNAWAY PLANE The four lads had not progressed more than a couple of hundred yards, however, when suddenly and without warning, apparently out of nowhere, there developed one of those sporadic but furious wind storms which in reality are miniature hurricanes, though seldom doing any real damage.

being changed over time so as to be e.g. stronger or more complete or more useful

From this reading A RUNAWAY PLANE The four lads had not progressed more than a couple of hundred yards, however, when suddenly and without warning, apparently out of nowhere, there developed one of those sporadic but furious wind storms which in reality are miniature hurricanes, though seldom doing any real damage.

-ing form of “do” — engage in

From this reading A RUNAWAY PLANE The four lads had not progressed more than a couple of hundred yards, however, when suddenly and without warning, apparently out of nowhere, there developed one of those sporadic but furious wind storms which in reality are miniature hurricanes, though seldom doing any real damage.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading As a matter of fact, for several seconds it failed to attract any attention.

past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone

From this reading As a matter of fact, for several seconds it failed to attract any attention.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Over the crest of the hill ahead of them appeared what at first seemed to be nothing more than a heavy mist.

to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading But this was only the forerunner, the vanguard, so to speak, of something more substantial to follow--as the four young men speedily learned.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading As a matter of fact, for several seconds it failed to attract any attention.

a person who goes before or announces the coming of another

From this reading But this was only the forerunner, the vanguard, so to speak, of something more substantial to follow--as the four young men speedily learned.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading A RUNAWAY PLANE The four lads had not progressed more than a couple of hundred yards, however, when suddenly and without warning, apparently out of nowhere, there developed one of those sporadic but furious wind storms which in reality are miniature hurricanes, though seldom doing any real damage.

marked by extreme and violent energy

From this reading A RUNAWAY PLANE The four lads had not progressed more than a couple of hundred yards, however, when suddenly and without warning, apparently out of nowhere, there developed one of those sporadic but furious wind storms which in reality are miniature hurricanes, though seldom doing any real damage.

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

From this reading A RUNAWAY PLANE The four lads had not progressed more than a couple of hundred yards, however, when suddenly and without warning, apparently out of nowhere, there developed one of those sporadic but furious wind storms which in reality are miniature hurricanes, though seldom doing any real damage.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading Over the crest of the hill ahead of them appeared what at first seemed to be nothing more than a heavy mist.

a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading Over the crest of the hill ahead of them appeared what at first seemed to be nothing more than a heavy mist.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading A RUNAWAY PLANE The four lads had not progressed more than a couple of hundred yards, however, when suddenly and without warning, apparently out of nowhere, there developed one of those sporadic but furious wind storms which in reality are miniature hurricanes, though seldom doing any real damage.

ten 10s

From this reading A RUNAWAY PLANE The four lads had not progressed more than a couple of hundred yards, however, when suddenly and without warning, apparently out of nowhere, there developed one of those sporadic but furious wind storms which in reality are miniature hurricanes, though seldom doing any real damage.

plural of “hurricane” — a severe tropical cyclone usually with heavy rains and winds moving at 63-136 knots (12 on the Beaufort scale)

From this reading A RUNAWAY PLANE The four lads had not progressed more than a couple of hundred yards, however, when suddenly and without warning, apparently out of nowhere, there developed one of those sporadic but furious wind storms which in reality are miniature hurricanes, though seldom doing any real damage.

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

From this reading A RUNAWAY PLANE The four lads had not progressed more than a couple of hundred yards, however, when suddenly and without warning, apparently out of nowhere, there developed one of those sporadic but furious wind storms which in reality are miniature hurricanes, though seldom doing any real damage.

free from evil or guilt

From this reading It started with what seemed to be but a slight puff of wind, which went zephyring merrily on its innocent way.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It started with what seemed to be but a slight puff of wind, which went zephyring merrily on its innocent way.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading It started with what seemed to be but a slight puff of wind, which went zephyring merrily on its innocent way.

plural of “lad” — a boy or man

From this reading A RUNAWAY PLANE The four lads had not progressed more than a couple of hundred yards, however, when suddenly and without warning, apparently out of nowhere, there developed one of those sporadic but furious wind storms which in reality are miniature hurricanes, though seldom doing any real damage.

having or showing profound knowledge

From this reading But this was only the forerunner, the vanguard, so to speak, of something more substantial to follow--as the four young men speedily learned.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading As a matter of fact, for several seconds it failed to attract any attention.

the force of workers available

From this reading But this was only the forerunner, the vanguard, so to speak, of something more substantial to follow--as the four young men speedily learned.

in a joyous manner

From this reading It started with what seemed to be but a slight puff of wind, which went zephyring merrily on its innocent way.

painting or drawing included in a book (especially in illuminated medieval manuscripts)

From this reading A RUNAWAY PLANE The four lads had not progressed more than a couple of hundred yards, however, when suddenly and without warning, apparently out of nowhere, there developed one of those sporadic but furious wind storms which in reality are miniature hurricanes, though seldom doing any real damage.

become covered with mist

From this reading Over the crest of the hill ahead of them appeared what at first seemed to be nothing more than a heavy mist.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading A RUNAWAY PLANE The four lads had not progressed more than a couple of hundred yards, however, when suddenly and without warning, apparently out of nowhere, there developed one of those sporadic but furious wind storms which in reality are miniature hurricanes, though seldom doing any real damage.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading A RUNAWAY PLANE The four lads had not progressed more than a couple of hundred yards, however, when suddenly and without warning, apparently out of nowhere, there developed one of those sporadic but furious wind storms which in reality are miniature hurricanes, though seldom doing any real damage.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Over the crest of the hill ahead of them appeared what at first seemed to be nothing more than a heavy mist.

an insignificant place

From this reading A RUNAWAY PLANE The four lads had not progressed more than a couple of hundred yards, however, when suddenly and without warning, apparently out of nowhere, there developed one of those sporadic but furious wind storms which in reality are miniature hurricanes, though seldom doing any real damage.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A RUNAWAY PLANE The four lads had not progressed more than a couple of hundred yards, however, when suddenly and without warning, apparently out of nowhere, there developed one of those sporadic but furious wind storms which in reality are miniature hurricanes, though seldom doing any real damage.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It started with what seemed to be but a slight puff of wind, which went zephyring merrily on its innocent way.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading A RUNAWAY PLANE The four lads had not progressed more than a couple of hundred yards, however, when suddenly and without warning, apparently out of nowhere, there developed one of those sporadic but furious wind storms which in reality are miniature hurricanes, though seldom doing any real damage.

and nothing more

From this reading But this was only the forerunner, the vanguard, so to speak, of something more substantial to follow--as the four young men speedily learned.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading A RUNAWAY PLANE The four lads had not progressed more than a couple of hundred yards, however, when suddenly and without warning, apparently out of nowhere, there developed one of those sporadic but furious wind storms which in reality are miniature hurricanes, though seldom doing any real damage.

above and across; more than

From this reading Over the crest of the hill ahead of them appeared what at first seemed to be nothing more than a heavy mist.

an aircraft that has a fixed wing and is powered by propellers or jets

From this reading A RUNAWAY PLANE The four lads had not progressed more than a couple of hundred yards, however, when suddenly and without warning, apparently out of nowhere, there developed one of those sporadic but furious wind storms which in reality are miniature hurricanes, though seldom doing any real damage.

past form of “progress” — develop in a positive way

From this reading A RUNAWAY PLANE The four lads had not progressed more than a couple of hundred yards, however, when suddenly and without warning, apparently out of nowhere, there developed one of those sporadic but furious wind storms which in reality are miniature hurricanes, though seldom doing any real damage.

smoke and exhale strongly

From this reading It started with what seemed to be but a slight puff of wind, which went zephyring merrily on its innocent way.

being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory

From this reading A RUNAWAY PLANE The four lads had not progressed more than a couple of hundred yards, however, when suddenly and without warning, apparently out of nowhere, there developed one of those sporadic but furious wind storms which in reality are miniature hurricanes, though seldom doing any real damage.

all of your experiences that determine how things appear to you

From this reading A RUNAWAY PLANE The four lads had not progressed more than a couple of hundred yards, however, when suddenly and without warning, apparently out of nowhere, there developed one of those sporadic but furious wind storms which in reality are miniature hurricanes, though seldom doing any real damage.

an easy victory

From this reading A RUNAWAY PLANE The four lads had not progressed more than a couple of hundred yards, however, when suddenly and without warning, apparently out of nowhere, there developed one of those sporadic but furious wind storms which in reality are miniature hurricanes, though seldom doing any real damage.

plural of “second” — 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading As a matter of fact, for several seconds it failed to attract any attention.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading It started with what seemed to be but a slight puff of wind, which went zephyring merrily on its innocent way.

not often

From this reading A RUNAWAY PLANE The four lads had not progressed more than a couple of hundred yards, however, when suddenly and without warning, apparently out of nowhere, there developed one of those sporadic but furious wind storms which in reality are miniature hurricanes, though seldom doing any real damage.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading As a matter of fact, for several seconds it failed to attract any attention.

a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)

From this reading It started with what seemed to be but a slight puff of wind, which went zephyring merrily on its innocent way.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading But this was only the forerunner, the vanguard, so to speak, of something more substantial to follow--as the four young men speedily learned.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading But this was only the forerunner, the vanguard, so to speak, of something more substantial to follow--as the four young men speedily learned.

express in speech

From this reading But this was only the forerunner, the vanguard, so to speak, of something more substantial to follow--as the four young men speedily learned.

with speed

From this reading But this was only the forerunner, the vanguard, so to speak, of something more substantial to follow--as the four young men speedily learned.

recurring in scattered and irregular or unpredictable instances

From this reading A RUNAWAY PLANE The four lads had not progressed more than a couple of hundred yards, however, when suddenly and without warning, apparently out of nowhere, there developed one of those sporadic but furious wind storms which in reality are miniature hurricanes, though seldom doing any real damage.

past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading It started with what seemed to be but a slight puff of wind, which went zephyring merrily on its innocent way.

plural of “storm” — a violent weather condition with winds 64-72 knots (11 on the Beaufort scale) and precipitation and thunder and lightning

From this reading A RUNAWAY PLANE The four lads had not progressed more than a couple of hundred yards, however, when suddenly and without warning, apparently out of nowhere, there developed one of those sporadic but furious wind storms which in reality are miniature hurricanes, though seldom doing any real damage.

of considerable importance, size, or worth

From this reading But this was only the forerunner, the vanguard, so to speak, of something more substantial to follow--as the four young men speedily learned.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading A RUNAWAY PLANE The four lads had not progressed more than a couple of hundred yards, however, when suddenly and without warning, apparently out of nowhere, there developed one of those sporadic but furious wind storms which in reality are miniature hurricanes, though seldom doing any real damage.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading A RUNAWAY PLANE The four lads had not progressed more than a couple of hundred yards, however, when suddenly and without warning, apparently out of nowhere, there developed one of those sporadic but furious wind storms which in reality are miniature hurricanes, though seldom doing any real damage.

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

From this reading A RUNAWAY PLANE The four lads had not progressed more than a couple of hundred yards, however, when suddenly and without warning, apparently out of nowhere, there developed one of those sporadic but furious wind storms which in reality are miniature hurricanes, though seldom doing any real damage.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Over the crest of the hill ahead of them appeared what at first seemed to be nothing more than a heavy mist.

in or at that place or location

From this reading A RUNAWAY PLANE The four lads had not progressed more than a couple of hundred yards, however, when suddenly and without warning, apparently out of nowhere, there developed one of those sporadic but furious wind storms which in reality are miniature hurricanes, though seldom doing any real damage.

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

From this reading But this was only the forerunner, the vanguard, so to speak, of something more substantial to follow--as the four young men speedily learned.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading A RUNAWAY PLANE The four lads had not progressed more than a couple of hundred yards, however, when suddenly and without warning, apparently out of nowhere, there developed one of those sporadic but furious wind storms which in reality are miniature hurricanes, though seldom doing any real damage.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading A RUNAWAY PLANE The four lads had not progressed more than a couple of hundred yards, however, when suddenly and without warning, apparently out of nowhere, there developed one of those sporadic but furious wind storms which in reality are miniature hurricanes, though seldom doing any real damage.

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

From this reading It started with what seemed to be but a slight puff of wind, which went zephyring merrily on its innocent way.

the leading units moving at the head of an army

From this reading But this was only the forerunner, the vanguard, so to speak, of something more substantial to follow--as the four young men speedily learned.

a message informing of danger

From this reading A RUNAWAY PLANE The four lads had not progressed more than a couple of hundred yards, however, when suddenly and without warning, apparently out of nowhere, there developed one of those sporadic but furious wind storms which in reality are miniature hurricanes, though seldom doing any real damage.

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

From this reading But this was only the forerunner, the vanguard, so to speak, of something more substantial to follow--as the four young men speedily learned.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading It started with what seemed to be but a slight puff of wind, which went zephyring merrily on its innocent way.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading It started with what seemed to be but a slight puff of wind, which went zephyring merrily on its innocent way.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading It started with what seemed to be but a slight puff of wind, which went zephyring merrily on its innocent way.

at the time that

From this reading A RUNAWAY PLANE The four lads had not progressed more than a couple of hundred yards, however, when suddenly and without warning, apparently out of nowhere, there developed one of those sporadic but furious wind storms which in reality are miniature hurricanes, though seldom doing any real damage.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading A RUNAWAY PLANE The four lads had not progressed more than a couple of hundred yards, however, when suddenly and without warning, apparently out of nowhere, there developed one of those sporadic but furious wind storms which in reality are miniature hurricanes, though seldom doing any real damage.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading A RUNAWAY PLANE The four lads had not progressed more than a couple of hundred yards, however, when suddenly and without warning, apparently out of nowhere, there developed one of those sporadic but furious wind storms which in reality are miniature hurricanes, though seldom doing any real damage.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It started with what seemed to be but a slight puff of wind, which went zephyring merrily on its innocent way.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading A RUNAWAY PLANE The four lads had not progressed more than a couple of hundred yards, however, when suddenly and without warning, apparently out of nowhere, there developed one of those sporadic but furious wind storms which in reality are miniature hurricanes, though seldom doing any real damage.

plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride

From this reading A RUNAWAY PLANE The four lads had not progressed more than a couple of hundred yards, however, when suddenly and without warning, apparently out of nowhere, there developed one of those sporadic but furious wind storms which in reality are miniature hurricanes, though seldom doing any real damage.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading But this was only the forerunner, the vanguard, so to speak, of something more substantial to follow--as the four young men speedily learned.

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

From this reading It started with what seemed to be but a slight puff of wind, which went zephyring merrily on its innocent way.