used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A few hundred paces in front of us was a railway bridge, over which a road passed, and under which the rail went at a sharp curve.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading The snow had drifted heavily against the bridge, with its high earth embankment, making manifest at a glance the cause of the disaster.
(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 The wrecked train had all been slightly draped in snow; the engine alone, barely cold, lying black and grim, like some mighty giant, formidable in death.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading The wrecked train had all been slightly draped in snow; the engine alone, barely cold, lying black and grim, like some mighty giant, formidable in death.
amidprepositionUS /əˈmɪd/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading The bridge was crowded with human figures, and on the line below men were working in the drift, amid piles of debris and splintered wood.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The engine and trucks stopped, the men shouldered their tools and tumbled out, and we followed them.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A few hundred paces in front of us was a railway bridge, over which a road passed, and under which the rail went at a sharp curve.
barelyadverbUS /ˈberli/
only a very short time before
From this reading The wrecked train had all been slightly draped in snow; the engine alone, barely cold, lying black and grim, like some mighty giant, formidable in death.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The wrecked train had all been slightly draped in snow; the engine alone, barely cold, lying black and grim, like some mighty giant, formidable in death.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading The bridge was crowded with human figures, and on the line below men were working in the drift, amid piles of debris and splintered wood.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading The wrecked train had all been slightly draped in snow; the engine alone, barely cold, lying black and grim, like some mighty giant, formidable in death.
a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.
From this reading A few hundred paces in front of us was a railway bridge, over which a road passed, and under which the rail went at a sharp curve.
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading The snow had drifted heavily against the bridge, with its high earth embankment, making manifest at a glance the cause of the disaster.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading The wrecked train had all been slightly draped in snow; the engine alone, barely cold, lying black and grim, like some mighty giant, formidable in death.
overfilled or compacted or concentrated
From this reading The bridge was crowded with human figures, and on the line below men were working in the drift, amid piles of debris and splintered wood.
curvenounUS /kɜːrv/
the trace of a point whose direction of motion changes
From this reading A few hundred paces in front of us was a railway bridge, over which a road passed, and under which the rail went at a sharp curve.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading The wrecked train had all been slightly draped in snow; the engine alone, barely cold, lying black and grim, like some mighty giant, formidable in death.
debrisnounUS /dəˈbriː/
the remains of something that has been destroyed or broken up
From this reading The bridge was crowded with human figures, and on the line below men were working in the drift, amid piles of debris and splintered wood.
disasternounUS /dɪˈzæstər/
a state of extreme (usually irremediable) ruin and misfortune
From this reading The snow had drifted heavily against the bridge, with its high earth embankment, making manifest at a glance the cause of the disaster.
drapedadjectiveUS /dreɪpt/
covered with or as if with clothes or a wrap or cloak
From this reading The wrecked train had all been slightly draped in snow; the engine alone, barely cold, lying black and grim, like some mighty giant, formidable in death.
driftverbUS /drɪft/
be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading The bridge was crowded with human figures, and on the line below men were working in the drift, amid piles of debris and splintered wood.
driftedverbUS /ˈdrɪftəd/
past form of “drift” — be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading The snow had drifted heavily against the bridge, with its high earth embankment, making manifest at a glance the cause of the disaster.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading The snow had drifted heavily against the bridge, with its high earth embankment, making manifest at a glance the cause of the disaster.
embankmentnounUS /emˈbæŋkmənt/
a long artificial mound of stone or earth; built to hold back water or to support a road or as protection
From this reading The snow had drifted heavily against the bridge, with its high earth embankment, making manifest at a glance the cause of the disaster.
enginenounUS /ˈendʒən/
motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work
From this reading The engine and trucks stopped, the men shouldered their tools and tumbled out, and we followed them.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A few hundred paces in front of us was a railway bridge, over which a road passed, and under which the rail went at a sharp curve.
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading The bridge was crowded with human figures, and on the line below men were working in the drift, amid piles of debris and splintered wood.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading The engine and trucks stopped, the men shouldered their tools and tumbled out, and we followed them.
formidableadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrmədəbəl/
extremely impressive in strength or excellence
From this reading The wrecked train had all been slightly draped in snow; the engine alone, barely cold, lying black and grim, like some mighty giant, formidable in death.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading A few hundred paces in front of us was a railway bridge, over which a road passed, and under which the rail went at a sharp curve.
any creature of exceptional size
From this reading The wrecked train had all been slightly draped in snow; the engine alone, barely cold, lying black and grim, like some mighty giant, formidable in death.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading The snow had drifted heavily against the bridge, with its high earth embankment, making manifest at a glance the cause of the disaster.
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
From this reading The wrecked train had all been slightly draped in snow; the engine alone, barely cold, lying black and grim, like some mighty giant, formidable in death.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The snow had drifted heavily against the bridge, with its high earth embankment, making manifest at a glance the cause of the disaster.
to a considerable degree
From this reading The snow had drifted heavily against the bridge, with its high earth embankment, making manifest at a glance the cause of the disaster.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The snow had drifted heavily against the bridge, with its high earth embankment, making manifest at a glance the cause of the disaster.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading The bridge was crowded with human figures, and on the line below men were working in the drift, amid piles of debris and splintered wood.
ten 10s
From this reading A few hundred paces in front of us was a railway bridge, over which a road passed, and under which the rail went at a sharp curve.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A few hundred paces in front of us was a railway bridge, over which a road passed, and under which the rail went at a sharp curve.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The snow had drifted heavily against the bridge, with its high earth embankment, making manifest at a glance the cause of the disaster.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The wrecked train had all been slightly draped in snow; the engine alone, barely cold, lying black and grim, like some mighty giant, formidable in death.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading The bridge was crowded with human figures, and on the line below men were working in the drift, amid piles of debris and splintered wood.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading The wrecked train had all been slightly draped in snow; the engine alone, barely cold, lying black and grim, like some mighty giant, formidable in death.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading The snow had drifted heavily against the bridge, with its high earth embankment, making manifest at a glance the cause of the disaster.
manifestverbUS /ˈmænəfest/
provide evidence for; stand as proof of; show by one's behavior, attitude, or external attributes
From this reading The snow had drifted heavily against the bridge, with its high earth embankment, making manifest at a glance the cause of the disaster.
the force of workers available
From this reading The engine and trucks stopped, the men shouldered their tools and tumbled out, and we followed them.
having or showing great strength or force or intensity
From this reading The wrecked train had all been slightly draped in snow; the engine alone, barely cold, lying black and grim, like some mighty giant, formidable in death.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A few hundred paces in front of us was a railway bridge, over which a road passed, and under which the rail went at a sharp curve.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The bridge was crowded with human figures, and on the line below men were working in the drift, amid piles of debris and splintered wood.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The engine and trucks stopped, the men shouldered their tools and tumbled out, and we followed them.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading A few hundred paces in front of us was a railway bridge, over which a road passed, and under which the rail went at a sharp curve.
pacesnounUS /ˈpeɪsɪz/
plural of “pace” — the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
From this reading A few hundred paces in front of us was a railway bridge, over which a road passed, and under which the rail went at a sharp curve.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading A few hundred paces in front of us was a railway bridge, over which a road passed, and under which the rail went at a sharp curve.
pilesnounUS /paɪlz/
venous swelling external or internal to the anal sphincter
From this reading The bridge was crowded with human figures, and on the line below men were working in the drift, amid piles of debris and splintered wood.
railnounUS /reɪl/
a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports
From this reading A few hundred paces in front of us was a railway bridge, over which a road passed, and under which the rail went at a sharp curve.
railwaynounUS /ˈreɪlweɪ/
line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight
From this reading A few hundred paces in front of us was a railway bridge, over which a road passed, and under which the rail went at a sharp curve.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading A few hundred paces in front of us was a railway bridge, over which a road passed, and under which the rail went at a sharp curve.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading A few hundred paces in front of us was a railway bridge, over which a road passed, and under which the rail went at a sharp curve.
shoulderedadjectiveUS /ˈʃoʊldərd/
having shoulders or shoulders as specified; usually used as a combining form
From this reading The engine and trucks stopped, the men shouldered their tools and tumbled out, and we followed them.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading The wrecked train had all been slightly draped in snow; the engine alone, barely cold, lying black and grim, like some mighty giant, formidable in death.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading The snow had drifted heavily against the bridge, with its high earth embankment, making manifest at a glance the cause of the disaster.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The wrecked train had all been slightly draped in snow; the engine alone, barely cold, lying black and grim, like some mighty giant, formidable in death.
splinteredverbUS /ˈsplɪntərd/
past form of “splinter” — withdraw from an organization or communion
From this reading The bridge was crowded with human figures, and on the line below men were working in the drift, amid piles of debris and splintered wood.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading The engine and trucks stopped, the men shouldered their tools and tumbled out, and we followed them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The engine and trucks stopped, the men shouldered their tools and tumbled out, and we followed them.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The engine and trucks stopped, the men shouldered their tools and tumbled out, and we followed them.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The engine and trucks stopped, the men shouldered their tools and tumbled out, and we followed them.
toolsnounUS /tuːlz/
plural of “tool” — an implement used in the practice of a vocation
From this reading The engine and trucks stopped, the men shouldered their tools and tumbled out, and we followed them.
create by training and teaching
From this reading The wrecked train had all been slightly draped in snow; the engine alone, barely cold, lying black and grim, like some mighty giant, formidable in death.
trucksnounUS /trʌks/
plural of “truck” — an automotive vehicle suitable for hauling
From this reading The engine and trucks stopped, the men shouldered their tools and tumbled out, and we followed them.
tumbledverbUS /ˈtʌmbəld/
past form of “tumble” — fall down, as if collapsing
From this reading The engine and trucks stopped, the men shouldered their tools and tumbled out, and we followed them.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading A few hundred paces in front of us was a railway bridge, over which a road passed, and under which the rail went at a sharp curve.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A few hundred paces in front of us was a railway bridge, over which a road passed, and under which the rail went at a sharp curve.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A few hundred paces in front of us was a railway bridge, over which a road passed, and under which the rail went at a sharp curve.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading The engine and trucks stopped, the men shouldered their tools and tumbled out, and we followed them.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading A few hundred paces in front of us was a railway bridge, over which a road passed, and under which the rail went at a sharp curve.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The bridge was crowded with human figures, and on the line below men were working in the drift, amid piles of debris and splintered wood.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A few hundred paces in front of us was a railway bridge, over which a road passed, and under which the rail went at a sharp curve.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The snow had drifted heavily against the bridge, with its high earth embankment, making manifest at a glance the cause of the disaster.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading The bridge was crowded with human figures, and on the line below men were working in the drift, amid piles of debris and splintered wood.
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading The bridge was crowded with human figures, and on the line below men were working in the drift, amid piles of debris and splintered wood.
wreckedadjectiveUS /rekt/
destroyed in an accident
From this reading The wrecked train had all been slightly draped in snow; the engine alone, barely cold, lying black and grim, like some mighty giant, formidable in death.
