used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A SHORT TERM IN JAIL.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The Japs who had been so neatly tricked seemed to the boys to be running around in circles and shooting useless bullets into the air up to the time the flying machine to which they had beckoned reached their side.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading If the truth must be told, both Ben and Carl experienced a sudden lifting of the hair as the _Ann_ and the _Bertha_ plunged toward the precipice hanging below the summit.
Ann
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the truth must be told, both Ben and Carl experienced a sudden lifting of the hair as the _Ann_ and the _Bertha_ plunged toward the precipice hanging below the summit.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading The Japs who had been so neatly tricked seemed to the boys to be running around in circles and shooting useless bullets into the air up to the time the flying machine to which they had beckoned reached their side.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading If the truth must be told, both Ben and Carl experienced a sudden lifting of the hair as the _Ann_ and the _Bertha_ plunged toward the precipice hanging below the summit.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It seemed for a time as if the wheels would never lift, but finally, at the last instant, they did so, and the level surface of rock was left below.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading If the truth must be told, both Ben and Carl experienced a sudden lifting of the hair as the _Ann_ and the _Bertha_ plunged toward the precipice hanging below the summit.
beckonedverbUS /ˈbekənd/
past form of “beckon” — signal with the hands or nod
From this reading The Japs who had been so neatly tricked seemed to the boys to be running around in circles and shooting useless bullets into the air up to the time the flying machine to which they had beckoned reached their side.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The Japs who had been so neatly tricked seemed to the boys to be running around in circles and shooting useless bullets into the air up to the time the flying machine to which they had beckoned reached their side.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading If the truth must be told, both Ben and Carl experienced a sudden lifting of the hair as the _Ann_ and the _Bertha_ plunged toward the precipice hanging below the summit.
a mountain or tall hill
From this reading If the truth must be told, both Ben and Carl experienced a sudden lifting of the hair as the _Ann_ and the _Bertha_ plunged toward the precipice hanging below the summit.
Bertha
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the truth must be told, both Ben and Carl experienced a sudden lifting of the hair as the _Ann_ and the _Bertha_ plunged toward the precipice hanging below the summit.
the two together, not just one
From this reading If the truth must be told, both Ben and Carl experienced a sudden lifting of the hair as the _Ann_ and the _Bertha_ plunged toward the precipice hanging below the summit.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading The Japs who had been so neatly tricked seemed to the boys to be running around in circles and shooting useless bullets into the air up to the time the flying machine to which they had beckoned reached their side.
bulletsnounUS /ˈbʊləts/
plural of “bullet” — a projectile that is fired from a gun
From this reading The Japs who had been so neatly tricked seemed to the boys to be running around in circles and shooting useless bullets into the air up to the time the flying machine to which they had beckoned reached their side.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It seemed for a time as if the wheels would never lift, but finally, at the last instant, they did so, and the level surface of rock was left below.
Carl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the truth must be told, both Ben and Carl experienced a sudden lifting of the hair as the _Ann_ and the _Bertha_ plunged toward the precipice hanging below the summit.
circlesnounUS /ˈsɜːrkəlz/
plural of “circle” — ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading The Japs who had been so neatly tricked seemed to the boys to be running around in circles and shooting useless bullets into the air up to the time the flying machine to which they had beckoned reached their side.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading It seemed for a time as if the wheels would never lift, but finally, at the last instant, they did so, and the level surface of rock was left below.
having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation
From this reading If the truth must be told, both Ben and Carl experienced a sudden lifting of the hair as the _Ann_ and the _Bertha_ plunged toward the precipice hanging below the summit.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading It seemed for a time as if the wheels would never lift, but finally, at the last instant, they did so, and the level surface of rock was left below.
moving swiftly
From this reading The Japs who had been so neatly tricked seemed to the boys to be running around in circles and shooting useless bullets into the air up to the time the flying machine to which they had beckoned reached their side.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It seemed for a time as if the wheels would never lift, but finally, at the last instant, they did so, and the level surface of rock was left below.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The Japs who had been so neatly tricked seemed to the boys to be running around in circles and shooting useless bullets into the air up to the time the flying machine to which they had beckoned reached their side.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading If the truth must be told, both Ben and Carl experienced a sudden lifting of the hair as the _Ann_ and the _Bertha_ plunged toward the precipice hanging below the summit.
decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window
From this reading If the truth must be told, both Ben and Carl experienced a sudden lifting of the hair as the _Ann_ and the _Bertha_ plunged toward the precipice hanging below the summit.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading The third machine, however, did not remain long on the summit.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If the truth must be told, both Ben and Carl experienced a sudden lifting of the hair as the _Ann_ and the _Bertha_ plunged toward the precipice hanging below the summit.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A SHORT TERM IN JAIL.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading It seemed for a time as if the wheels would never lift, but finally, at the last instant, they did so, and the level surface of rock was left below.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The Japs who had been so neatly tricked seemed to the boys to be running around in circles and shooting useless bullets into the air up to the time the flying machine to which they had beckoned reached their side.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It seemed for a time as if the wheels would never lift, but finally, at the last instant, they did so, and the level surface of rock was left below.
JAILnounUS /dʒeɪl/
a correctional institution used to detain persons who are in the lawful custody of the government (either accused persons awaiting trial or convicted persons serving a sentence)
From this reading A SHORT TERM IN JAIL.
JapsnounUS /dʒæps/
plural of “jap” — (offensive slang) offensive term for a person of Japanese descent
From this reading The Japs who had been so neatly tricked seemed to the boys to be running around in circles and shooting useless bullets into the air up to the time the flying machine to which they had beckoned reached their side.
immediately past
From this reading It seemed for a time as if the wheels would never lift, but finally, at the last instant, they did so, and the level surface of rock was left below.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading It seemed for a time as if the wheels would never lift, but finally, at the last instant, they did so, and the level surface of rock was left below.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading It seemed for a time as if the wheels would never lift, but finally, at the last instant, they did so, and the level surface of rock was left below.
raise from a lower to a higher position
From this reading It seemed for a time as if the wheels would never lift, but finally, at the last instant, they did so, and the level surface of rock was left below.
liftingverbUS /ˈlɪftɪŋ/
-ing form of “lift” — raise from a lower to a higher position
From this reading If the truth must be told, both Ben and Carl experienced a sudden lifting of the hair as the _Ann_ and the _Bertha_ plunged toward the precipice hanging below the summit.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading The third machine, however, did not remain long on the summit.
any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks
From this reading The Japs who had been so neatly tricked seemed to the boys to be running around in circles and shooting useless bullets into the air up to the time the flying machine to which they had beckoned reached their side.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading If the truth must be told, both Ben and Carl experienced a sudden lifting of the hair as the _Ann_ and the _Bertha_ plunged toward the precipice hanging below the summit.
neatlyadverbUS /ˈniːtli/
with neatness
From this reading The Japs who had been so neatly tricked seemed to the boys to be running around in circles and shooting useless bullets into the air up to the time the flying machine to which they had beckoned reached their side.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading It seemed for a time as if the wheels would never lift, but finally, at the last instant, they did so, and the level surface of rock was left below.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The third machine, however, did not remain long on the summit.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading If the truth must be told, both Ben and Carl experienced a sudden lifting of the hair as the _Ann_ and the _Bertha_ plunged toward the precipice hanging below the summit.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The third machine, however, did not remain long on the summit.
past form of “plunge” — thrust or throw into
From this reading If the truth must be told, both Ben and Carl experienced a sudden lifting of the hair as the _Ann_ and the _Bertha_ plunged toward the precipice hanging below the summit.
precipicenounUS /ˈpresəpəs/
a very steep cliff
From this reading If the truth must be told, both Ben and Carl experienced a sudden lifting of the hair as the _Ann_ and the _Bertha_ plunged toward the precipice hanging below the summit.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading The Japs who had been so neatly tricked seemed to the boys to be running around in circles and shooting useless bullets into the air up to the time the flying machine to which they had beckoned reached their side.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading The third machine, however, did not remain long on the summit.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading It seemed for a time as if the wheels would never lift, but finally, at the last instant, they did so, and the level surface of rock was left below.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading The Japs who had been so neatly tricked seemed to the boys to be running around in circles and shooting useless bullets into the air up to the time the flying machine to which they had beckoned reached their side.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It seemed for a time as if the wheels would never lift, but finally, at the last instant, they did so, and the level surface of rock was left below.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading The Japs who had been so neatly tricked seemed to the boys to be running around in circles and shooting useless bullets into the air up to the time the flying machine to which they had beckoned reached their side.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading A SHORT TERM IN JAIL.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading The Japs who had been so neatly tricked seemed to the boys to be running around in circles and shooting useless bullets into the air up to the time the flying machine to which they had beckoned reached their side.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It seemed for a time as if the wheels would never lift, but finally, at the last instant, they did so, and the level surface of rock was left below.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading If the truth must be told, both Ben and Carl experienced a sudden lifting of the hair as the _Ann_ and the _Bertha_ plunged toward the precipice hanging below the summit.
summitnounUS /ˈsʌmət/
the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development
From this reading If the truth must be told, both Ben and Carl experienced a sudden lifting of the hair as the _Ann_ and the _Bertha_ plunged toward the precipice hanging below the summit.
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading It seemed for a time as if the wheels would never lift, but finally, at the last instant, they did so, and the level surface of rock was left below.
a word or expression used for some particular thing
From this reading A SHORT TERM IN JAIL.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading If the truth must be told, both Ben and Carl experienced a sudden lifting of the hair as the _Ann_ and the _Bertha_ plunged toward the precipice hanging below the summit.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The Japs who had been so neatly tricked seemed to the boys to be running around in circles and shooting useless bullets into the air up to the time the flying machine to which they had beckoned reached their side.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It seemed for a time as if the wheels would never lift, but finally, at the last instant, they did so, and the level surface of rock was left below.
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading The third machine, however, did not remain long on the summit.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It seemed for a time as if the wheels would never lift, but finally, at the last instant, they did so, and the level surface of rock was left below.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Japs who had been so neatly tricked seemed to the boys to be running around in circles and shooting useless bullets into the air up to the time the flying machine to which they had beckoned reached their side.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading If the truth must be told, both Ben and Carl experienced a sudden lifting of the hair as the _Ann_ and the _Bertha_ plunged toward the precipice hanging below the summit.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading If the truth must be told, both Ben and Carl experienced a sudden lifting of the hair as the _Ann_ and the _Bertha_ plunged toward the precipice hanging below the summit.
trickedverbUS /trɪkt/
past form of “trick” — deceive somebody
From this reading The Japs who had been so neatly tricked seemed to the boys to be running around in circles and shooting useless bullets into the air up to the time the flying machine to which they had beckoned reached their side.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading If the truth must be told, both Ben and Carl experienced a sudden lifting of the hair as the _Ann_ and the _Bertha_ plunged toward the precipice hanging below the summit.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The Japs who had been so neatly tricked seemed to the boys to be running around in circles and shooting useless bullets into the air up to the time the flying machine to which they had beckoned reached their side.
having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully
From this reading The Japs who had been so neatly tricked seemed to the boys to be running around in circles and shooting useless bullets into the air up to the time the flying machine to which they had beckoned reached their side.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It seemed for a time as if the wheels would never lift, but finally, at the last instant, they did so, and the level surface of rock was left below.
wheelsnounUS /wiːlz/
plural of “wheel” — a simple machine consisting of a circular frame with spokes (or a solid disc) that can rotate on a shaft or axle (as in vehicles or other machines)
From this reading It seemed for a time as if the wheels would never lift, but finally, at the last instant, they did so, and the level surface of rock was left below.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The Japs who had been so neatly tricked seemed to the boys to be running around in circles and shooting useless bullets into the air up to the time the flying machine to which they had beckoned reached their side.
which person or people
From this reading The Japs who had been so neatly tricked seemed to the boys to be running around in circles and shooting useless bullets into the air up to the time the flying machine to which they had beckoned reached their side.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It seemed for a time as if the wheels would never lift, but finally, at the last instant, they did so, and the level surface of rock was left below.
