adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In a large building, not far from the lens-house in which Roland Clewe had pursued the experiments which had come to such a disappointing conclusion, there was a piece of mechanism which interested its inventor more than any other of his works, excepting of course the photic borer.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading This was an enormous projectile, the peculiarity of which was that its motive power was contained within itself, very much as a rocket contains the explosives which send it upward.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It differed, however, from the rocket or any other similar projectile, and many of its features were entirely original with Roland Clewe.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading In a large building, not far from the lens-house in which Roland Clewe had pursued the experiments which had come to such a disappointing conclusion, there was a piece of mechanism which interested its inventor more than any other of his works, excepting of course the photic borer.
approachedverbUS /əˈproʊtʃt/
past form of “approach” — move towards
From this reading The forward end was conical and not solid, being formed of a number of flat steel rings, decreasing in size as they approached the point of the cone.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading This was an enormous projectile, the peculiarity of which was that its motive power was contained within itself, very much as a rocket contains the explosives which send it upward.
automaticadjectiveUS /ˌɔːtəˈmætɪk/
operating with minimal human intervention; independent of external control
From this reading This extraordinary piece of mechanism, which was called the automatic shell, was of cylindrical form, eighteen feet in length and four feet in diameter.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The forward end was conical and not solid, being formed of a number of flat steel rings, decreasing in size as they approached the point of the cone.
borernounUS /ˈbɔːrər/
a drill for penetrating rock
From this reading In a large building, not far from the lens-house in which Roland Clewe had pursued the experiments which had come to such a disappointing conclusion, there was a piece of mechanism which interested its inventor more than any other of his works, excepting of course the photic borer.
buildingnounUS /ˈbɪldɪŋ/
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading In a large building, not far from the lens-house in which Roland Clewe had pursued the experiments which had come to such a disappointing conclusion, there was a piece of mechanism which interested its inventor more than any other of his works, excepting of course the photic borer.
calledverbUS /kɔːld/
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading This extraordinary piece of mechanism, which was called the automatic shell, was of cylindrical form, eighteen feet in length and four feet in diameter.
Clewe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a large building, not far from the lens-house in which Roland Clewe had pursued the experiments which had come to such a disappointing conclusion, there was a piece of mechanism which interested its inventor more than any other of his works, excepting of course the photic borer.
comeverbUS /kʌm/
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading In a large building, not far from the lens-house in which Roland Clewe had pursued the experiments which had come to such a disappointing conclusion, there was a piece of mechanism which interested its inventor more than any other of his works, excepting of course the photic borer.
conclusionnounUS /kənˈkluːʒən/
a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration
From this reading In a large building, not far from the lens-house in which Roland Clewe had pursued the experiments which had come to such a disappointing conclusion, there was a piece of mechanism which interested its inventor more than any other of his works, excepting of course the photic borer.
conenounUS /koʊn/
any cone-shaped artifact
From this reading The forward end was conical and not solid, being formed of a number of flat steel rings, decreasing in size as they approached the point of the cone.
conicaladjectiveUS /ˈkɑːnɪkəl/
relating to or resembling a cone
From this reading The forward end was conical and not solid, being formed of a number of flat steel rings, decreasing in size as they approached the point of the cone.
containedadjectiveUS /kənˈteɪnd/
gotten under control
From this reading This was an enormous projectile, the peculiarity of which was that its motive power was contained within itself, very much as a rocket contains the explosives which send it upward.
containsverbUS /kənˈteɪnz/
third-person singular of “contain” — include or contain; have as a component
From this reading This was an enormous projectile, the peculiarity of which was that its motive power was contained within itself, very much as a rocket contains the explosives which send it upward.
coursenounUS /kɔːrs/
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading In a large building, not far from the lens-house in which Roland Clewe had pursued the experiments which had come to such a disappointing conclusion, there was a piece of mechanism which interested its inventor more than any other of his works, excepting of course the photic borer.
cylindricaladjectiveUS /səˈlɪndrɪkəl/
having the form of a cylinder
From this reading This extraordinary piece of mechanism, which was called the automatic shell, was of cylindrical form, eighteen feet in length and four feet in diameter.
decreasingadjectiveUS /dɪˈkriːsɪŋ/
becoming less or smaller
From this reading The forward end was conical and not solid, being formed of a number of flat steel rings, decreasing in size as they approached the point of the cone.
diameternounUS /daɪˈæmətər/
the length of a straight line passing through the center of a circle and connecting two points on the circumference
From this reading This extraordinary piece of mechanism, which was called the automatic shell, was of cylindrical form, eighteen feet in length and four feet in diameter.
differedverbUS /ˈdɪfərd/
past form of “differ” — be different
From this reading It differed, however, from the rocket or any other similar projectile, and many of its features were entirely original with Roland Clewe.
disappointingadjectiveUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪntɪŋ/
not up to expectations
From this reading In a large building, not far from the lens-house in which Roland Clewe had pursued the experiments which had come to such a disappointing conclusion, there was a piece of mechanism which interested its inventor more than any other of his works, excepting of course the photic borer.
eighteenadjectiveUS /eɪˈtiːn/
being one more than seventeen
From this reading This extraordinary piece of mechanism, which was called the automatic shell, was of cylindrical form, eighteen feet in length and four feet in diameter.
endnounUS /end/
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading The forward end was conical and not solid, being formed of a number of flat steel rings, decreasing in size as they approached the point of the cone.
enormousadjectiveUS /ɪˈnɔːrməs/
extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree
From this reading This was an enormous projectile, the peculiarity of which was that its motive power was contained within itself, very much as a rocket contains the explosives which send it upward.
entirelyadverbUS /ɪnˈtaɪərli/
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading It differed, however, from the rocket or any other similar projectile, and many of its features were entirely original with Roland Clewe.
exceptingverbUS /ˌekˈseptɪŋ/
-ing form of “except” — take exception to
From this reading In a large building, not far from the lens-house in which Roland Clewe had pursued the experiments which had come to such a disappointing conclusion, there was a piece of mechanism which interested its inventor more than any other of his works, excepting of course the photic borer.
experimentsnounUS /ɪkˈsperəmənts/
plural of “experiment” — the act of conducting a controlled test or investigation
From this reading In a large building, not far from the lens-house in which Roland Clewe had pursued the experiments which had come to such a disappointing conclusion, there was a piece of mechanism which interested its inventor more than any other of his works, excepting of course the photic borer.
explosivesnounUS /ɪkˈsploʊsɪvz/
plural of “explosive” — a chemical substance that undergoes a rapid chemical change (with the production of gas) on being heated or struck
From this reading This was an enormous projectile, the peculiarity of which was that its motive power was contained within itself, very much as a rocket contains the explosives which send it upward.
extraordinaryadjectiveUS /ˌekstrəˈɔːrdəneri/
beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable
From this reading This extraordinary piece of mechanism, which was called the automatic shell, was of cylindrical form, eighteen feet in length and four feet in diameter.
faradverbUS /fɑːr/
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading In a large building, not far from the lens-house in which Roland Clewe had pursued the experiments which had come to such a disappointing conclusion, there was a piece of mechanism which interested its inventor more than any other of his works, excepting of course the photic borer.
featuresnounUS /ˈfiːtʃərz/
plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading It differed, however, from the rocket or any other similar projectile, and many of its features were entirely original with Roland Clewe.
feetnounUS /fiːt/
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading This extraordinary piece of mechanism, which was called the automatic shell, was of cylindrical form, eighteen feet in length and four feet in diameter.
flatadjectiveUS /flæt/
having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another
From this reading The forward end was conical and not solid, being formed of a number of flat steel rings, decreasing in size as they approached the point of the cone.
formnounUS /fɔːrm/
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading This extraordinary piece of mechanism, which was called the automatic shell, was of cylindrical form, eighteen feet in length and four feet in diameter.
formedadjectiveUS /fɔːrmd/
having or given a form or shape
From this reading The forward end was conical and not solid, being formed of a number of flat steel rings, decreasing in size as they approached the point of the cone.
forwardadverbUS /ˈfɔːrwərd/
at or to or toward the front
From this reading The forward end was conical and not solid, being formed of a number of flat steel rings, decreasing in size as they approached the point of the cone.
fournounUS /fɔːr/
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading This extraordinary piece of mechanism, which was called the automatic shell, was of cylindrical form, eighteen feet in length and four feet in diameter.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading In a large building, not far from the lens-house in which Roland Clewe had pursued the experiments which had come to such a disappointing conclusion, there was a piece of mechanism which interested its inventor more than any other of his works, excepting of course the photic borer.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In a large building, not far from the lens-house in which Roland Clewe had pursued the experiments which had come to such a disappointing conclusion, there was a piece of mechanism which interested its inventor more than any other of his works, excepting of course the photic borer.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In a large building, not far from the lens-house in which Roland Clewe had pursued the experiments which had come to such a disappointing conclusion, there was a piece of mechanism which interested its inventor more than any other of his works, excepting of course the photic borer.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading It differed, however, from the rocket or any other similar projectile, and many of its features were entirely original with Roland Clewe.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In a large building, not far from the lens-house in which Roland Clewe had pursued the experiments which had come to such a disappointing conclusion, there was a piece of mechanism which interested its inventor more than any other of his works, excepting of course the photic borer.
interestedadjectiveUS /ˈɪntrəstɪd/
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading In a large building, not far from the lens-house in which Roland Clewe had pursued the experiments which had come to such a disappointing conclusion, there was a piece of mechanism which interested its inventor more than any other of his works, excepting of course the photic borer.
inventornounUS /ˌɪnˈventər/
someone who is the first to think of or make something
From this reading In a large building, not far from the lens-house in which Roland Clewe had pursued the experiments which had come to such a disappointing conclusion, there was a piece of mechanism which interested its inventor more than any other of his works, excepting of course the photic borer.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading This was an enormous projectile, the peculiarity of which was that its motive power was contained within itself, very much as a rocket contains the explosives which send it upward.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading In a large building, not far from the lens-house in which Roland Clewe had pursued the experiments which had come to such a disappointing conclusion, there was a piece of mechanism which interested its inventor more than any other of his works, excepting of course the photic borer.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading This was an enormous projectile, the peculiarity of which was that its motive power was contained within itself, very much as a rocket contains the explosives which send it upward.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading In a large building, not far from the lens-house in which Roland Clewe had pursued the experiments which had come to such a disappointing conclusion, there was a piece of mechanism which interested its inventor more than any other of his works, excepting of course the photic borer.
lengthnounUS /leŋkθ/
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading This extraordinary piece of mechanism, which was called the automatic shell, was of cylindrical form, eighteen feet in length and four feet in diameter.
lens-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a large building, not far from the lens-house in which Roland Clewe had pursued the experiments which had come to such a disappointing conclusion, there was a piece of mechanism which interested its inventor more than any other of his works, excepting of course the photic borer.
manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/
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 It differed, however, from the rocket or any other similar projectile, and many of its features were entirely original with Roland Clewe.
mechanismnounUS /ˈmekənɪzəm/
the atomic process that occurs during a chemical reaction
From this reading In a large building, not far from the lens-house in which Roland Clewe had pursued the experiments which had come to such a disappointing conclusion, there was a piece of mechanism which interested its inventor more than any other of his works, excepting of course the photic borer.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading In a large building, not far from the lens-house in which Roland Clewe had pursued the experiments which had come to such a disappointing conclusion, there was a piece of mechanism which interested its inventor more than any other of his works, excepting of course the photic borer.
motivenounUS /ˈmoʊtɪv/
the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior
From this reading This was an enormous projectile, the peculiarity of which was that its motive power was contained within itself, very much as a rocket contains the explosives which send it upward.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading This was an enormous projectile, the peculiarity of which was that its motive power was contained within itself, very much as a rocket contains the explosives which send it upward.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading In a large building, not far from the lens-house in which Roland Clewe had pursued the experiments which had come to such a disappointing conclusion, there was a piece of mechanism which interested its inventor more than any other of his works, excepting of course the photic borer.
numbernounUS /ˈnʌmbər/
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading The forward end was conical and not solid, being formed of a number of flat steel rings, decreasing in size as they approached the point of the cone.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In a large building, not far from the lens-house in which Roland Clewe had pursued the experiments which had come to such a disappointing conclusion, there was a piece of mechanism which interested its inventor more than any other of his works, excepting of course the photic borer.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It differed, however, from the rocket or any other similar projectile, and many of its features were entirely original with Roland Clewe.
originaladjectiveUS /ərˈɪdʒənəl/
preceding all others in time or being as first made or performed
From this reading It differed, however, from the rocket or any other similar projectile, and many of its features were entirely original with Roland Clewe.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading In a large building, not far from the lens-house in which Roland Clewe had pursued the experiments which had come to such a disappointing conclusion, there was a piece of mechanism which interested its inventor more than any other of his works, excepting of course the photic borer.
peculiaritynounUS /pɪˌkjuːliˈerəti/
an odd or unusual characteristic
From this reading This was an enormous projectile, the peculiarity of which was that its motive power was contained within itself, very much as a rocket contains the explosives which send it upward.
photicadjective
of or relating to or caused by light
From this reading In a large building, not far from the lens-house in which Roland Clewe had pursued the experiments which had come to such a disappointing conclusion, there was a piece of mechanism which interested its inventor more than any other of his works, excepting of course the photic borer.
piecenounUS /piːs/
a separate part of a whole
From this reading In a large building, not far from the lens-house in which Roland Clewe had pursued the experiments which had come to such a disappointing conclusion, there was a piece of mechanism which interested its inventor more than any other of his works, excepting of course the photic borer.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading The forward end was conical and not solid, being formed of a number of flat steel rings, decreasing in size as they approached the point of the cone.
powernounUS /ˈpaʊər/
possession of controlling influence
From this reading This was an enormous projectile, the peculiarity of which was that its motive power was contained within itself, very much as a rocket contains the explosives which send it upward.
projectilenounUS /prəˈdʒektəl/
a weapon that is forcibly thrown or projected at a targets but is not self-propelled
From this reading This was an enormous projectile, the peculiarity of which was that its motive power was contained within itself, very much as a rocket contains the explosives which send it upward.
pursuednounUS /pərˈsuːd/
a person who is being chased
From this reading In a large building, not far from the lens-house in which Roland Clewe had pursued the experiments which had come to such a disappointing conclusion, there was a piece of mechanism which interested its inventor more than any other of his works, excepting of course the photic borer.
ringsnounUS /rɪŋz/
gymnastic apparatus consisting of a pair of heavy metal circles (usually covered with leather) suspended by ropes; used for gymnastic exercises
From this reading The forward end was conical and not solid, being formed of a number of flat steel rings, decreasing in size as they approached the point of the cone.
rocketnounUS /ˈrɑːkət/
any vehicle self-propelled by a rocket engine
From this reading This was an enormous projectile, the peculiarity of which was that its motive power was contained within itself, very much as a rocket contains the explosives which send it upward.
Roland
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a large building, not far from the lens-house in which Roland Clewe had pursued the experiments which had come to such a disappointing conclusion, there was a piece of mechanism which interested its inventor more than any other of his works, excepting of course the photic borer.
sendverbUS /send/
cause to go somewhere
From this reading This was an enormous projectile, the peculiarity of which was that its motive power was contained within itself, very much as a rocket contains the explosives which send it upward.
shellnounUS /ʃel/
ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun
From this reading This extraordinary piece of mechanism, which was called the automatic shell, was of cylindrical form, eighteen feet in length and four feet in diameter.
similaradjectiveUS /ˈsɪmələr/
marked by correspondence or resemblance
From this reading It differed, however, from the rocket or any other similar projectile, and many of its features were entirely original with Roland Clewe.
sizenounUS /saɪz/
the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)
From this reading The forward end was conical and not solid, being formed of a number of flat steel rings, decreasing in size as they approached the point of the cone.
solidadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːləd/
characterized by good substantial quality
From this reading The forward end was conical and not solid, being formed of a number of flat steel rings, decreasing in size as they approached the point of the cone.
steelnounUS /stiːl/
an alloy of iron with small amounts of carbon; widely used in construction; mechanical properties can be varied over a wide range
From this reading The forward end was conical and not solid, being formed of a number of flat steel rings, decreasing in size as they approached the point of the cone.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading In a large building, not far from the lens-house in which Roland Clewe had pursued the experiments which had come to such a disappointing conclusion, there was a piece of mechanism which interested its inventor more than any other of his works, excepting of course the photic borer.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading In a large building, not far from the lens-house in which Roland Clewe had pursued the experiments which had come to such a disappointing conclusion, there was a piece of mechanism which interested its inventor more than any other of his works, excepting of course the photic borer.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading This was an enormous projectile, the peculiarity of which was that its motive power was contained within itself, very much as a rocket contains the explosives which send it upward.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In a large building, not far from the lens-house in which Roland Clewe had pursued the experiments which had come to such a disappointing conclusion, there was a piece of mechanism which interested its inventor more than any other of his works, excepting of course the photic borer.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading In a large building, not far from the lens-house in which Roland Clewe had pursued the experiments which had come to such a disappointing conclusion, there was a piece of mechanism which interested its inventor more than any other of his works, excepting of course the photic borer.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The forward end was conical and not solid, being formed of a number of flat steel rings, decreasing in size as they approached the point of the cone.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was an enormous projectile, the peculiarity of which was that its motive power was contained within itself, very much as a rocket contains the explosives which send it upward.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In a large building, not far from the lens-house in which Roland Clewe had pursued the experiments which had come to such a disappointing conclusion, there was a piece of mechanism which interested its inventor more than any other of his works, excepting of course the photic borer.
upwardadjectiveUS /ˈʌpwərd/
directed up
From this reading This was an enormous projectile, the peculiarity of which was that its motive power was contained within itself, very much as a rocket contains the explosives which send it upward.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading This was an enormous projectile, the peculiarity of which was that its motive power was contained within itself, very much as a rocket contains the explosives which send it upward.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In a large building, not far from the lens-house in which Roland Clewe had pursued the experiments which had come to such a disappointing conclusion, there was a piece of mechanism which interested its inventor more than any other of his works, excepting of course the photic borer.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It differed, however, from the rocket or any other similar projectile, and many of its features were entirely original with Roland Clewe.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In a large building, not far from the lens-house in which Roland Clewe had pursued the experiments which had come to such a disappointing conclusion, there was a piece of mechanism which interested its inventor more than any other of his works, excepting of course the photic borer.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading It differed, however, from the rocket or any other similar projectile, and many of its features were entirely original with Roland Clewe.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading This was an enormous projectile, the peculiarity of which was that its motive power was contained within itself, very much as a rocket contains the explosives which send it upward.
worksnounUS /wɜːrks/
buildings for carrying on industrial labor
From this reading In a large building, not far from the lens-house in which Roland Clewe had pursued the experiments which had come to such a disappointing conclusion, there was a piece of mechanism which interested its inventor more than any other of his works, excepting of course the photic borer.
