Chapter I

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

From this reading Swirls of heavy snowflakes, driven by a brisk wind that whistled across the vast expanse of concrete runways that is New York City’s Idlewild Airport, dashed against the big picture window in the Personnel Lounge and spiraled back into the murky whiteness of the winter morning.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading Swirls of heavy snowflakes, driven by a brisk wind that whistled across the vast expanse of concrete runways that is New York City’s Idlewild Airport, dashed against the big picture window in the Personnel Lounge and spiraled back into the murky whiteness of the winter morning.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Swirls of heavy snowflakes, driven by a brisk wind that whistled across the vast expanse of concrete runways that is New York City’s Idlewild Airport, dashed against the big picture window in the Personnel Lounge and spiraled back into the murky whiteness of the winter morning.

plural of “airline” — a hose that carries air under pressure

From this reading Inside the comfortable room, four girls, all dressed in the trim, blue uniform of Federal Airlines stewardesses, sat in soft leather armchairs.

an airfield equipped with control tower and hangars as well as accommodations for passengers and cargo

From this reading Swirls of heavy snowflakes, driven by a brisk wind that whistled across the vast expanse of concrete runways that is New York City’s Idlewild Airport, dashed against the big picture window in the Personnel Lounge and spiraled back into the murky whiteness of the winter morning.

(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 Inside the comfortable room, four girls, all dressed in the trim, blue uniform of Federal Airlines stewardesses, sat in soft leather armchairs.

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

From this reading Swirls of heavy snowflakes, driven by a brisk wind that whistled across the vast expanse of concrete runways that is New York City’s Idlewild Airport, dashed against the big picture window in the Personnel Lounge and spiraled back into the murky whiteness of the winter morning.

plural of “armchair” — chair with a support on each side for arms

From this reading Inside the comfortable room, four girls, all dressed in the trim, blue uniform of Federal Airlines stewardesses, sat in soft leather armchairs.

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

From this reading One of the girls, a tall brunette, grinned as she shook her head in mock despair.

a duty that you are assigned to perform (especially in the armed forces)

From this reading “Here it is, the middle of the worst winter we’ve had in years, and what do I draw as my new assignment?

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Swirls of heavy snowflakes, driven by a brisk wind that whistled across the vast expanse of concrete runways that is New York City’s Idlewild Airport, dashed against the big picture window in the Personnel Lounge and spiraled back into the murky whiteness of the winter morning.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Swirls of heavy snowflakes, driven by a brisk wind that whistled across the vast expanse of concrete runways that is New York City’s Idlewild Airport, dashed against the big picture window in the Personnel Lounge and spiraled back into the murky whiteness of the winter morning.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading Inside the comfortable room, four girls, all dressed in the trim, blue uniform of Federal Airlines stewardesses, sat in soft leather armchairs.

quick and energetic

From this reading Swirls of heavy snowflakes, driven by a brisk wind that whistled across the vast expanse of concrete runways that is New York City’s Idlewild Airport, dashed against the big picture window in the Personnel Lounge and spiraled back into the murky whiteness of the winter morning.

a person with dark (brown) hair

From this reading One of the girls, a tall brunette, grinned as she shook her head in mock despair.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Swirls of heavy snowflakes, driven by a brisk wind that whistled across the vast expanse of concrete runways that is New York City’s Idlewild Airport, dashed against the big picture window in the Personnel Lounge and spiraled back into the murky whiteness of the winter morning.

possessive form of “city” — a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading Swirls of heavy snowflakes, driven by a brisk wind that whistled across the vast expanse of concrete runways that is New York City’s Idlewild Airport, dashed against the big picture window in the Personnel Lounge and spiraled back into the murky whiteness of the winter morning.

providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)

From this reading Inside the comfortable room, four girls, all dressed in the trim, blue uniform of Federal Airlines stewardesses, sat in soft leather armchairs.

capable of being perceived by the senses; not abstract or imaginary

From this reading Swirls of heavy snowflakes, driven by a brisk wind that whistled across the vast expanse of concrete runways that is New York City’s Idlewild Airport, dashed against the big picture window in the Personnel Lounge and spiraled back into the murky whiteness of the winter morning.

having gaps or spaces

From this reading Swirls of heavy snowflakes, driven by a brisk wind that whistled across the vast expanse of concrete runways that is New York City’s Idlewild Airport, dashed against the big picture window in the Personnel Lounge and spiraled back into the murky whiteness of the winter morning.

a state in which all hope is lost or absent

From this reading One of the girls, a tall brunette, grinned as she shook her head in mock despair.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading “Here it is, the middle of the worst winter we’ve had in years, and what do I draw as my new assignment?

cause to move by pulling

From this reading “Here it is, the middle of the worst winter we’ve had in years, and what do I draw as my new assignment?

dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination

From this reading Inside the comfortable room, four girls, all dressed in the trim, blue uniform of Federal Airlines stewardesses, sat in soft leather armchairs.

compelled forcibly by an outside agency

From this reading Swirls of heavy snowflakes, driven by a brisk wind that whistled across the vast expanse of concrete runways that is New York City’s Idlewild Airport, dashed against the big picture window in the Personnel Lounge and spiraled back into the murky whiteness of the winter morning.

a wide scope

From this reading Swirls of heavy snowflakes, driven by a brisk wind that whistled across the vast expanse of concrete runways that is New York City’s Idlewild Airport, dashed against the big picture window in the Personnel Lounge and spiraled back into the murky whiteness of the winter morning.

national; especially in reference to the government of the United States as distinct from that of its member units

From this reading Inside the comfortable room, four girls, all dressed in the trim, blue uniform of Federal Airlines stewardesses, sat in soft leather armchairs.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading Inside the comfortable room, four girls, all dressed in the trim, blue uniform of Federal Airlines stewardesses, sat in soft leather armchairs.

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading Inside the comfortable room, four girls, all dressed in the trim, blue uniform of Federal Airlines stewardesses, sat in soft leather armchairs.

inflected form of “grin” — to draw back the lips and reveal the teeth, in a smile, grimace, or snarl

From this reading One of the girls, a tall brunette, grinned as she shook her head in mock despair.

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

From this reading “Here it is, the middle of the worst winter we’ve had in years, and what do I draw as my new assignment?

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading One of the girls, a tall brunette, grinned as she shook her head in mock despair.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading Swirls of heavy snowflakes, driven by a brisk wind that whistled across the vast expanse of concrete runways that is New York City’s Idlewild Airport, dashed against the big picture window in the Personnel Lounge and spiraled back into the murky whiteness of the winter morning.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading One of the girls, a tall brunette, grinned as she shook her head in mock despair.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading “Here it is, the middle of the worst winter we’ve had in years, and what do I draw as my new assignment?

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading “Here it is, the middle of the worst winter we’ve had in years, and what do I draw as my new assignment?

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

From this reading Swirls of heavy snowflakes, driven by a brisk wind that whistled across the vast expanse of concrete runways that is New York City’s Idlewild Airport, dashed against the big picture window in the Personnel Lounge and spiraled back into the murky whiteness of the winter morning.

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

From this reading Swirls of heavy snowflakes, driven by a brisk wind that whistled across the vast expanse of concrete runways that is New York City’s Idlewild Airport, dashed against the big picture window in the Personnel Lounge and spiraled back into the murky whiteness of the winter morning.

relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space

From this reading Inside the comfortable room, four girls, all dressed in the trim, blue uniform of Federal Airlines stewardesses, sat in soft leather armchairs.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Swirls of heavy snowflakes, driven by a brisk wind that whistled across the vast expanse of concrete runways that is New York City’s Idlewild Airport, dashed against the big picture window in the Personnel Lounge and spiraled back into the murky whiteness of the winter morning.

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

From this reading Swirls of heavy snowflakes, driven by a brisk wind that whistled across the vast expanse of concrete runways that is New York City’s Idlewild Airport, dashed against the big picture window in the Personnel Lounge and spiraled back into the murky whiteness of the winter morning.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “Here it is, the middle of the worst winter we’ve had in years, and what do I draw as my new assignment?

an animal skin made smooth and flexible by removing the hair and then tanning

From this reading Inside the comfortable room, four girls, all dressed in the trim, blue uniform of Federal Airlines stewardesses, sat in soft leather armchairs.

sit or recline comfortably

From this reading Swirls of heavy snowflakes, driven by a brisk wind that whistled across the vast expanse of concrete runways that is New York City’s Idlewild Airport, dashed against the big picture window in the Personnel Lounge and spiraled back into the murky whiteness of the winter morning.

your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)

From this reading “Of all the luck!”

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading “Here it is, the middle of the worst winter we’ve had in years, and what do I draw as my new assignment?

treat with contempt

From this reading One of the girls, a tall brunette, grinned as she shook her head in mock despair.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading Swirls of heavy snowflakes, driven by a brisk wind that whistled across the vast expanse of concrete runways that is New York City’s Idlewild Airport, dashed against the big picture window in the Personnel Lounge and spiraled back into the murky whiteness of the winter morning.

(of liquids) clouded as with sediment

From this reading Swirls of heavy snowflakes, driven by a brisk wind that whistled across the vast expanse of concrete runways that is New York City’s Idlewild Airport, dashed against the big picture window in the Personnel Lounge and spiraled back into the murky whiteness of the winter morning.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading “Here it is, the middle of the worst winter we’ve had in years, and what do I draw as my new assignment?

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading Swirls of heavy snowflakes, driven by a brisk wind that whistled across the vast expanse of concrete runways that is New York City’s Idlewild Airport, dashed against the big picture window in the Personnel Lounge and spiraled back into the murky whiteness of the winter morning.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Swirls of heavy snowflakes, driven by a brisk wind that whistled across the vast expanse of concrete runways that is New York City’s Idlewild Airport, dashed against the big picture window in the Personnel Lounge and spiraled back into the murky whiteness of the winter morning.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One of the girls, a tall brunette, grinned as she shook her head in mock despair.

group of people willing to obey orders

From this reading Swirls of heavy snowflakes, driven by a brisk wind that whistled across the vast expanse of concrete runways that is New York City’s Idlewild Airport, dashed against the big picture window in the Personnel Lounge and spiraled back into the murky whiteness of the winter morning.

a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading Swirls of heavy snowflakes, driven by a brisk wind that whistled across the vast expanse of concrete runways that is New York City’s Idlewild Airport, dashed against the big picture window in the Personnel Lounge and spiraled back into the murky whiteness of the winter morning.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading Inside the comfortable room, four girls, all dressed in the trim, blue uniform of Federal Airlines stewardesses, sat in soft leather armchairs.

plural of “runway” — a bar or pair of parallel bars of rolled steel making the railway along which railroad cars or other vehicles can roll

From this reading Swirls of heavy snowflakes, driven by a brisk wind that whistled across the vast expanse of concrete runways that is New York City’s Idlewild Airport, dashed against the big picture window in the Personnel Lounge and spiraled back into the murky whiteness of the winter morning.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading Inside the comfortable room, four girls, all dressed in the trim, blue uniform of Federal Airlines stewardesses, sat in soft leather armchairs.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading One of the girls, a tall brunette, grinned as she shook her head in mock despair.

a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment

From this reading One of the girls, a tall brunette, grinned as she shook her head in mock despair.

plural of “snowflake” — a crystal of snow

From this reading Swirls of heavy snowflakes, driven by a brisk wind that whistled across the vast expanse of concrete runways that is New York City’s Idlewild Airport, dashed against the big picture window in the Personnel Lounge and spiraled back into the murky whiteness of the winter morning.

yielding readily to pressure or weight

From this reading Inside the comfortable room, four girls, all dressed in the trim, blue uniform of Federal Airlines stewardesses, sat in soft leather armchairs.

past form of “spiral” — to wind or move in a spiral course

From this reading Swirls of heavy snowflakes, driven by a brisk wind that whistled across the vast expanse of concrete runways that is New York City’s Idlewild Airport, dashed against the big picture window in the Personnel Lounge and spiraled back into the murky whiteness of the winter morning.

plural of “stewardess” — a woman steward on an airplane

From this reading Inside the comfortable room, four girls, all dressed in the trim, blue uniform of Federal Airlines stewardesses, sat in soft leather armchairs.

plural of “swirl” — the shape of something rotating rapidly

From this reading Swirls of heavy snowflakes, driven by a brisk wind that whistled across the vast expanse of concrete runways that is New York City’s Idlewild Airport, dashed against the big picture window in the Personnel Lounge and spiraled back into the murky whiteness of the winter morning.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading One of the girls, a tall brunette, grinned as she shook her head in mock despair.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Swirls of heavy snowflakes, driven by a brisk wind that whistled across the vast expanse of concrete runways that is New York City’s Idlewild Airport, dashed against the big picture window in the Personnel Lounge and spiraled back into the murky whiteness of the winter morning.

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

From this reading Swirls of heavy snowflakes, driven by a brisk wind that whistled across the vast expanse of concrete runways that is New York City’s Idlewild Airport, dashed against the big picture window in the Personnel Lounge and spiraled back into the murky whiteness of the winter morning.

remove the edges from and cut down to the desired size

From this reading Inside the comfortable room, four girls, all dressed in the trim, blue uniform of Federal Airlines stewardesses, sat in soft leather armchairs.

always the same; showing a single form or character in all occurrences

From this reading Inside the comfortable room, four girls, all dressed in the trim, blue uniform of Federal Airlines stewardesses, sat in soft leather armchairs.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading Swirls of heavy snowflakes, driven by a brisk wind that whistled across the vast expanse of concrete runways that is New York City’s Idlewild Airport, dashed against the big picture window in the Personnel Lounge and spiraled back into the murky whiteness of the winter morning.

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

From this reading “Here it is, the middle of the worst winter we’ve had in years, and what do I draw as my new assignment?

used to ask for information about something

From this reading “Here it is, the middle of the worst winter we’ve had in years, and what do I draw as my new assignment?

past form of “whistle” — make whistling sounds

From this reading Swirls of heavy snowflakes, driven by a brisk wind that whistled across the vast expanse of concrete runways that is New York City’s Idlewild Airport, dashed against the big picture window in the Personnel Lounge and spiraled back into the murky whiteness of the winter morning.

the quality or state of the achromatic color of greatest lightness (bearing the least resemblance to black)

From this reading Swirls of heavy snowflakes, driven by a brisk wind that whistled across the vast expanse of concrete runways that is New York City’s Idlewild Airport, dashed against the big picture window in the Personnel Lounge and spiraled back into the murky whiteness of the winter morning.

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

From this reading Swirls of heavy snowflakes, driven by a brisk wind that whistled across the vast expanse of concrete runways that is New York City’s Idlewild Airport, dashed against the big picture window in the Personnel Lounge and spiraled back into the murky whiteness of the winter morning.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading Swirls of heavy snowflakes, driven by a brisk wind that whistled across the vast expanse of concrete runways that is New York City’s Idlewild Airport, dashed against the big picture window in the Personnel Lounge and spiraled back into the murky whiteness of the winter morning.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading Swirls of heavy snowflakes, driven by a brisk wind that whistled across the vast expanse of concrete runways that is New York City’s Idlewild Airport, dashed against the big picture window in the Personnel Lounge and spiraled back into the murky whiteness of the winter morning.

the least favorable outcome

From this reading “Here it is, the middle of the worst winter we’ve had in years, and what do I draw as my new assignment?

a late time of life

From this reading “Here it is, the middle of the worst winter we’ve had in years, and what do I draw as my new assignment?

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 Swirls of heavy snowflakes, driven by a brisk wind that whistled across the vast expanse of concrete runways that is New York City’s Idlewild Airport, dashed against the big picture window in the Personnel Lounge and spiraled back into the murky whiteness of the winter morning.