used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
in addition
From this reading He knew also exactly how many cubic yards of soil or gravel could be handled by any particular gang.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He knew also exactly how many cubic yards of soil or gravel could be handled by any particular gang.
on or to one side
From this reading However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He knew also exactly how many cubic yards of soil or gravel could be handled by any particular gang.
beckonedverbUS /ˈbekənd/
past form of “beckon” — signal with the hands or nod
From this reading However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He knew also exactly how many cubic yards of soil or gravel could be handled by any particular gang.
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
Cassidy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.
cubicadjectiveUS /ˈkjuːbɪk/
involving the cube and no higher power of a quantity or variable
From this reading He knew also exactly how many cubic yards of soil or gravel could be handled by any particular gang.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading He knew also exactly how many cubic yards of soil or gravel could be handled by any particular gang.
opinion or judgment
From this reading However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading If the quantity fell short, there was usually trouble.
having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
flingingverbUS /ˈflɪŋɪŋ/
-ing form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
gangnounUS /ɡæŋ/
an association of criminals
From this reading He knew also exactly how many cubic yards of soil or gravel could be handled by any particular gang.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.
gravelnounUS /ˈɡrævəl/
rock fragments and pebbles
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
grimlyadverbUS /ˈɡrɪmli/
in a grim implacable manner
From this reading However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
handledadjectiveUS /ˈhændəld/
having a usually specified type of handle
From this reading He knew also exactly how many cubic yards of soil or gravel could be handled by any particular gang.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew also exactly how many cubic yards of soil or gravel could be handled by any particular gang.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If the quantity fell short, there was usually trouble.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading He knew also exactly how many cubic yards of soil or gravel could be handled by any particular gang.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
long-hafted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading He knew also exactly how many cubic yards of soil or gravel could be handled by any particular gang.
the force of workers available
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
a particular point in time
From this reading However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He knew also exactly how many cubic yards of soil or gravel could be handled by any particular gang.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He knew also exactly how many cubic yards of soil or gravel could be handled by any particular gang.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading He knew also exactly how many cubic yards of soil or gravel could be handled by any particular gang.
quantitynounUS /ˈkwɑːntəti/
how much there is or how many there are of something that you can quantify
From this reading If the quantity fell short, there was usually trouble.
quickenedverbUS /ˈkwɪkənd/
past form of “quicken” — move faster
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.
satisfyverbUS /ˈsætəsfaɪ/
meet the requirements or expectations of
From this reading He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.
cut with a saw
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading If the quantity fell short, there was usually trouble.
shovelnounUS /ˈʃʌvəl/
a hand tool for lifting loose material; consists of a curved container or scoop and a handle
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
the state of being covered with unclean things
From this reading He knew also exactly how many cubic yards of soil or gravel could be handled by any particular gang.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.
strodeverbUS /stroʊd/
inflected form of “stride” — walk with long steps
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
express in words
From this reading He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
in or at that place or location
From this reading If the quantity fell short, there was usually trouble.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.
a line or route along which something travels or moves
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
a source of difficulty
From this reading If the quantity fell short, there was usually trouble.
twinkleverbUS /ˈtwɪŋkəl/
gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
under normal conditions
From this reading If the quantity fell short, there was usually trouble.
of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity
From this reading He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.
WestonnounUS /ˈwestən/
United States photographer(1886-1958)
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
at the time that
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.
whimsicaladjectiveUS /ˈwɪmzɪkəl/
determined by chance or impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason
From this reading However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.
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 He knew also exactly how many cubic yards of soil or gravel could be handled by any particular gang.
