used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The cord blew a little whistle in the cab of the engineer—the whistle taking the place of the old-fashioned bell.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading AT SUNSET BEACH The train conductor, who had climbed up on the steps, after helping down Mrs. Martin and the children, quickly reached up to grasp the signal cord on hearing the cries of alarm.
fear resulting from the awareness of danger
From this reading AT SUNSET BEACH The train conductor, who had climbed up on the steps, after helping down Mrs. Martin and the children, quickly reached up to grasp the signal cord on hearing the cries of alarm.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In an instant the engineer clapped on the brakes, and the train, which had only begun to move slowly away from the station, came to a sudden stop.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading AT SUNSET BEACH The train conductor, who had climbed up on the steps, after helping down Mrs. Martin and the children, quickly reached up to grasp the signal cord on hearing the cries of alarm.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading “What is the matter, madam?” asked the conductor.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading AT SUNSET BEACH The train conductor, who had climbed up on the steps, after helping down Mrs. Martin and the children, quickly reached up to grasp the signal cord on hearing the cries of alarm.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading In an instant the engineer clapped on the brakes, and the train, which had only begun to move slowly away from the station, came to a sudden stop.
baggagenounUS /ˈbæɡədʒ/
cases used to carry belongings when traveling
From this reading “Did you leave some of your baggage in the car?”
an area of sand sloping down to the water of a sea or lake
From this reading AT SUNSET BEACH The train conductor, who had climbed up on the steps, after helping down Mrs. Martin and the children, quickly reached up to grasp the signal cord on hearing the cries of alarm.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading In an instant the engineer clapped on the brakes, and the train, which had only begun to move slowly away from the station, came to a sudden stop.
a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading The cord blew a little whistle in the cab of the engineer—the whistle taking the place of the old-fashioned bell.
inflected form of “blow” — exhale hard
From this reading The cord blew a little whistle in the cab of the engineer—the whistle taking the place of the old-fashioned bell.
brakesnounUS /breɪks/
a braking device consisting of a combination of interacting parts that work to slow a motor vehicle
From this reading In an instant the engineer clapped on the brakes, and the train, which had only begun to move slowly away from the station, came to a sudden stop.
cabnounUS /kæb/
a compartment at the front of a motor vehicle or locomotive where driver sits
From this reading The cord blew a little whistle in the cab of the engineer—the whistle taking the place of the old-fashioned bell.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading In an instant the engineer clapped on the brakes, and the train, which had only begun to move slowly away from the station, came to a sudden stop.
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading “Did you leave some of your baggage in the car?”
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading AT SUNSET BEACH The train conductor, who had climbed up on the steps, after helping down Mrs. Martin and the children, quickly reached up to grasp the signal cord on hearing the cries of alarm.
clappedverbUS /klæpt/
inflected form of “clap” — put quickly or forcibly
From this reading In an instant the engineer clapped on the brakes, and the train, which had only begun to move slowly away from the station, came to a sudden stop.
past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress
From this reading AT SUNSET BEACH The train conductor, who had climbed up on the steps, after helping down Mrs. Martin and the children, quickly reached up to grasp the signal cord on hearing the cries of alarm.
conductornounUS /kənˈdʌktər/
the person who leads a musical group
From this reading AT SUNSET BEACH The train conductor, who had climbed up on the steps, after helping down Mrs. Martin and the children, quickly reached up to grasp the signal cord on hearing the cries of alarm.
cordnounUS /kɔːrd/
a line made of twisted fibers or threads
From this reading AT SUNSET BEACH The train conductor, who had climbed up on the steps, after helping down Mrs. Martin and the children, quickly reached up to grasp the signal cord on hearing the cries of alarm.
plural of “cry” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading AT SUNSET BEACH The train conductor, who had climbed up on the steps, after helping down Mrs. Martin and the children, quickly reached up to grasp the signal cord on hearing the cries of alarm.
Didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading “Did you leave some of your baggage in the car?”
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading AT SUNSET BEACH The train conductor, who had climbed up on the steps, after helping down Mrs. Martin and the children, quickly reached up to grasp the signal cord on hearing the cries of alarm.
engineernounUS /ˈendʒəˈnɪr/
a person who uses scientific knowledge to solve practical problems
From this reading The cord blew a little whistle in the cab of the engineer—the whistle taking the place of the old-fashioned bell.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading In an instant the engineer clapped on the brakes, and the train, which had only begun to move slowly away from the station, came to a sudden stop.
hold firmly
From this reading AT SUNSET BEACH The train conductor, who had climbed up on the steps, after helping down Mrs. Martin and the children, quickly reached up to grasp the signal cord on hearing the cries of alarm.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading AT SUNSET BEACH The train conductor, who had climbed up on the steps, after helping down Mrs. Martin and the children, quickly reached up to grasp the signal cord on hearing the cries of alarm.
(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence
From this reading AT SUNSET BEACH The train conductor, who had climbed up on the steps, after helping down Mrs. Martin and the children, quickly reached up to grasp the signal cord on hearing the cries of alarm.
helpingnounUS /ˈhelpɪŋ/
an individual quantity of food or drink taken as part of a meal
From this reading AT SUNSET BEACH The train conductor, who had climbed up on the steps, after helping down Mrs. Martin and the children, quickly reached up to grasp the signal cord on hearing the cries of alarm.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The cord blew a little whistle in the cab of the engineer—the whistle taking the place of the old-fashioned bell.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading In an instant the engineer clapped on the brakes, and the train, which had only begun to move slowly away from the station, came to a sudden stop.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “What is the matter, madam?” asked the conductor.
go away from a place
From this reading “Did you leave some of your baggage in the car?”
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The cord blew a little whistle in the cab of the engineer—the whistle taking the place of the old-fashioned bell.
a woman of refinement
From this reading “What is the matter, madam?” asked the conductor.
French bishop who is a patron saint of France (died in 397)
From this reading AT SUNSET BEACH The train conductor, who had climbed up on the steps, after helping down Mrs. Martin and the children, quickly reached up to grasp the signal cord on hearing the cries of alarm.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading “What is the matter, madam?” asked the conductor.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading In an instant the engineer clapped on the brakes, and the train, which had only begun to move slowly away from the station, came to a sudden stop.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading AT SUNSET BEACH The train conductor, who had climbed up on the steps, after helping down Mrs. Martin and the children, quickly reached up to grasp the signal cord on hearing the cries of alarm.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AT SUNSET BEACH The train conductor, who had climbed up on the steps, after helping down Mrs. Martin and the children, quickly reached up to grasp the signal cord on hearing the cries of alarm.
old-fashionedadjectiveUS /ˌoʊldˈfæʃənd/
out of fashion
From this reading The cord blew a little whistle in the cab of the engineer—the whistle taking the place of the old-fashioned bell.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading AT SUNSET BEACH The train conductor, who had climbed up on the steps, after helping down Mrs. Martin and the children, quickly reached up to grasp the signal cord on hearing the cries of alarm.
and nothing more
From this reading In an instant the engineer clapped on the brakes, and the train, which had only begun to move slowly away from the station, came to a sudden stop.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The cord blew a little whistle in the cab of the engineer—the whistle taking the place of the old-fashioned bell.
with speed
From this reading AT SUNSET BEACH The train conductor, who had climbed up on the steps, after helping down Mrs. Martin and the children, quickly reached up to grasp the signal cord on hearing the cries of alarm.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading AT SUNSET BEACH The train conductor, who had climbed up on the steps, after helping down Mrs. Martin and the children, quickly reached up to grasp the signal cord on hearing the cries of alarm.
any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message
From this reading AT SUNSET BEACH The train conductor, who had climbed up on the steps, after helping down Mrs. Martin and the children, quickly reached up to grasp the signal cord on hearing the cries of alarm.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading In an instant the engineer clapped on the brakes, and the train, which had only begun to move slowly away from the station, came to a sudden stop.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading “Did you leave some of your baggage in the car?”
a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose
From this reading In an instant the engineer clapped on the brakes, and the train, which had only begun to move slowly away from the station, came to a sudden stop.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading AT SUNSET BEACH The train conductor, who had climbed up on the steps, after helping down Mrs. Martin and the children, quickly reached up to grasp the signal cord on hearing the cries of alarm.
come to a halt, stop moving
From this reading In an instant the engineer clapped on the brakes, and the train, which had only begun to move slowly away from the station, came to a sudden stop.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading In an instant the engineer clapped on the brakes, and the train, which had only begun to move slowly away from the station, came to a sudden stop.
the time in the evening at which the sun begins to fall below the horizon
From this reading AT SUNSET BEACH The train conductor, who had climbed up on the steps, after helping down Mrs. Martin and the children, quickly reached up to grasp the signal cord on hearing the cries of alarm.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading The cord blew a little whistle in the cab of the engineer—the whistle taking the place of the old-fashioned bell.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AT SUNSET BEACH The train conductor, who had climbed up on the steps, after helping down Mrs. Martin and the children, quickly reached up to grasp the signal cord on hearing the cries of alarm.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading AT SUNSET BEACH The train conductor, who had climbed up on the steps, after helping down Mrs. Martin and the children, quickly reached up to grasp the signal cord on hearing the cries of alarm.
create by training and teaching
From this reading AT SUNSET BEACH The train conductor, who had climbed up on the steps, after helping down Mrs. Martin and the children, quickly reached up to grasp the signal cord on hearing the cries of alarm.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading AT SUNSET BEACH The train conductor, who had climbed up on the steps, after helping down Mrs. Martin and the children, quickly reached up to grasp the signal cord on hearing the cries of alarm.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “What is the matter, madam?” asked the conductor.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In an instant the engineer clapped on the brakes, and the train, which had only begun to move slowly away from the station, came to a sudden stop.
whistleverbUS /ˈwɪsəl/
make whistling sounds
From this reading The cord blew a little whistle in the cab of the engineer—the whistle taking the place of the old-fashioned bell.
which person or people
From this reading AT SUNSET BEACH The train conductor, who had climbed up on the steps, after helping down Mrs. Martin and the children, quickly reached up to grasp the signal cord on hearing the cries of alarm.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Did you leave some of your baggage in the car?”
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Did you leave some of your baggage in the car?”
