used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The Runaway Spoil Train Barely a mile of the double track of the Panama railway stretched between the inspection car, on which Jim was racing for his life, and the oncoming passenger train.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The rush of air, as he tore along, sent his broad-brimmed hat flying, and set his hair streaking out behind him.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading The rush of air, as he tore along, sent his broad-brimmed hat flying, and set his hair streaking out behind him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Runaway Spoil Train Barely a mile of the double track of the Panama railway stretched between the inspection car, on which Jim was racing for his life, and the oncoming passenger train.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The rush of air, as he tore along, sent his broad-brimmed hat flying, and set his hair streaking out behind him.
BarelyadverbUS /ˈberli/
only a very short time before
From this reading The Runaway Spoil Train Barely a mile of the double track of the Panama railway stretched between the inspection car, on which Jim was racing for his life, and the oncoming passenger train.
BehindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Behind him there was the scrunch, the grinding roar, of the long line of steel wheels carrying the runaway spoil train.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading The Runaway Spoil Train Barely a mile of the double track of the Panama railway stretched between the inspection car, on which Jim was racing for his life, and the oncoming passenger train.
billowingadjectiveUS /ˈbɪloʊɪŋ/
characterized by great swelling waves or surges
From this reading Glancing over his shoulder he could see the smoke billowing from the locomotive and the escape steam blowing out between her leading wheels.
blowingnounUS /ˈbloʊɪŋ/
processing that involves blowing a gas
From this reading Glancing over his shoulder he could see the smoke billowing from the locomotive and the escape steam blowing out between her leading wheels.
broad-brimmedadjective
(of hats) having a broad brim
From this reading The rush of air, as he tore along, sent his broad-brimmed hat flying, and set his hair streaking out behind him.
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading The Runaway Spoil Train Barely a mile of the double track of the Panama railway stretched between the inspection car, on which Jim was racing for his life, and the oncoming passenger train.
-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading Behind him there was the scrunch, the grinding roar, of the long line of steel wheels carrying the runaway spoil train.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Glancing over his shoulder he could see the smoke billowing from the locomotive and the escape steam blowing out between her leading wheels.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading He kneeled on his driving seat and looked first one way and then the other, hesitating what to do.
increase twofold
From this reading The Runaway Spoil Train Barely a mile of the double track of the Panama railway stretched between the inspection car, on which Jim was racing for his life, and the oncoming passenger train.
having the power of driving or impelling
From this reading He kneeled on his driving seat and looked first one way and then the other, hesitating what to do.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading Glancing over his shoulder he could see the smoke billowing from the locomotive and the escape steam blowing out between her leading wheels.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading He kneeled on his driving seat and looked first one way and then the other, hesitating what to do.
moving swiftly
From this reading The rush of air, as he tore along, sent his broad-brimmed hat flying, and set his hair streaking out behind him.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The Runaway Spoil Train Barely a mile of the double track of the Panama railway stretched between the inspection car, on which Jim was racing for his life, and the oncoming passenger train.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Glancing over his shoulder he could see the smoke billowing from the locomotive and the escape steam blowing out between her leading wheels.
-ing form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading Glancing over his shoulder he could see the smoke billowing from the locomotive and the escape steam blowing out between her leading wheels.
grindingnounUS /ˈɡraɪndɪŋ/
material resulting from the process of grinding
From this reading Behind him there was the scrunch, the grinding roar, of the long line of steel wheels carrying the runaway spoil train.
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 The rush of air, as he tore along, sent his broad-brimmed hat flying, and set his hair streaking out behind him.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading The rush of air, as he tore along, sent his broad-brimmed hat flying, and set his hair streaking out behind him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Glancing over his shoulder he could see the smoke billowing from the locomotive and the escape steam blowing out between her leading wheels.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Glancing over his shoulder he could see the smoke billowing from the locomotive and the escape steam blowing out between her leading wheels.
hesitatingadjectiveUS /ˈhezəteɪtɪŋ/
lacking decisiveness of character; unable to act or decide quickly or firmly
From this reading He kneeled on his driving seat and looked first one way and then the other, hesitating what to do.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Behind him there was the scrunch, the grinding roar, of the long line of steel wheels carrying the runaway spoil train.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The Runaway Spoil Train Barely a mile of the double track of the Panama railway stretched between the inspection car, on which Jim was racing for his life, and the oncoming passenger train.
inspectionnounUS /ˌɪnˈspekʃən/
a formal or official examination
From this reading The Runaway Spoil Train Barely a mile of the double track of the Panama railway stretched between the inspection car, on which Jim was racing for his life, and the oncoming passenger train.
Jim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Runaway Spoil Train Barely a mile of the double track of the Panama railway stretched between the inspection car, on which Jim was racing for his life, and the oncoming passenger train.
kneeled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He kneeled on his driving seat and looked first one way and then the other, hesitating what to do.
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading Glancing over his shoulder he could see the smoke billowing from the locomotive and the escape steam blowing out between her leading wheels.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading The Runaway Spoil Train Barely a mile of the double track of the Panama railway stretched between the inspection car, on which Jim was racing for his life, and the oncoming passenger train.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading Behind him there was the scrunch, the grinding roar, of the long line of steel wheels carrying the runaway spoil train.
locomotivenounUS /ˌloʊkəˈmoʊtɪv/
a wheeled vehicle consisting of a self-propelled engine that is used to draw trains along railway tracks
From this reading Glancing over his shoulder he could see the smoke billowing from the locomotive and the escape steam blowing out between her leading wheels.
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 Behind him there was the scrunch, the grinding roar, of the long line of steel wheels carrying the runaway spoil train.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He kneeled on his driving seat and looked first one way and then the other, hesitating what to do.
a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading The Runaway Spoil Train Barely a mile of the double track of the Panama railway stretched between the inspection car, on which Jim was racing for his life, and the oncoming passenger train.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Runaway Spoil Train Barely a mile of the double track of the Panama railway stretched between the inspection car, on which Jim was racing for his life, and the oncoming passenger train.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The Runaway Spoil Train Barely a mile of the double track of the Panama railway stretched between the inspection car, on which Jim was racing for his life, and the oncoming passenger train.
oncomingadjectiveUS /ˈɔːnkʌmɪŋ/
moving toward one
From this reading The Runaway Spoil Train Barely a mile of the double track of the Panama railway stretched between the inspection car, on which Jim was racing for his life, and the oncoming passenger train.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He kneeled on his driving seat and looked first one way and then the other, hesitating what to do.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading He kneeled on his driving seat and looked first one way and then the other, hesitating what to do.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Glancing over his shoulder he could see the smoke billowing from the locomotive and the escape steam blowing out between her leading wheels.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Glancing over his shoulder he could see the smoke billowing from the locomotive and the escape steam blowing out between her leading wheels.
PanamanounUS /ˈpænəmɑː/
a republic on the Isthmus of Panama; achieved independence from Colombia in 1903
From this reading The Runaway Spoil Train Barely a mile of the double track of the Panama railway stretched between the inspection car, on which Jim was racing for his life, and the oncoming passenger train.
passengernounUS /ˈpæsəndʒər/
a traveler riding in a vehicle (a boat or bus or car or plane or train etc) who is not operating it
From this reading The Runaway Spoil Train Barely a mile of the double track of the Panama railway stretched between the inspection car, on which Jim was racing for his life, and the oncoming passenger train.
racingnounUS /ˈreɪsɪŋ/
the sport of engaging in contests of speed
From this reading The Runaway Spoil Train Barely a mile of the double track of the Panama railway stretched between the inspection car, on which Jim was racing for his life, and the oncoming passenger train.
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 The Runaway Spoil Train Barely a mile of the double track of the Panama railway stretched between the inspection car, on which Jim was racing for his life, and the oncoming passenger train.
make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles
From this reading Behind him there was the scrunch, the grinding roar, of the long line of steel wheels carrying the runaway spoil train.
RunawaynounUS /ˈrʌnəweɪ/
an easy victory
From this reading The Runaway Spoil Train Barely a mile of the double track of the Panama railway stretched between the inspection car, on which Jim was racing for his life, and the oncoming passenger train.
move hurridly
From this reading The rush of air, as he tore along, sent his broad-brimmed hat flying, and set his hair streaking out behind him.
scrunchverbUS /skrʌntʃ/
make a noise typical of an engine lacking lubricants
From this reading Behind him there was the scrunch, the grinding roar, of the long line of steel wheels carrying the runaway spoil train.
a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)
From this reading He kneeled on his driving seat and looked first one way and then the other, hesitating what to do.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Glancing over his shoulder he could see the smoke billowing from the locomotive and the escape steam blowing out between her leading wheels.
100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia
From this reading The rush of air, as he tore along, sent his broad-brimmed hat flying, and set his hair streaking out behind him.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The rush of air, as he tore along, sent his broad-brimmed hat flying, and set his hair streaking out behind him.
lift onto one's shoulders
From this reading Glancing over his shoulder he could see the smoke billowing from the locomotive and the escape steam blowing out between her leading wheels.
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading Glancing over his shoulder he could see the smoke billowing from the locomotive and the escape steam blowing out between her leading wheels.
SpoilverbUS /spɔɪl/
make a mess of, destroy or ruin
From this reading The Runaway Spoil Train Barely a mile of the double track of the Panama railway stretched between the inspection car, on which Jim was racing for his life, and the oncoming passenger train.
steamverbUS /stiːm/
travel by means of steam power
From this reading Glancing over his shoulder he could see the smoke billowing from the locomotive and the escape steam blowing out between her leading wheels.
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 Behind him there was the scrunch, the grinding roar, of the long line of steel wheels carrying the runaway spoil train.
streakingverbUS /ˈstriːkɪŋ/
-ing form of “streak” — move quickly in a straight line
From this reading The rush of air, as he tore along, sent his broad-brimmed hat flying, and set his hair streaking out behind him.
(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching
From this reading The Runaway Spoil Train Barely a mile of the double track of the Panama railway stretched between the inspection car, on which Jim was racing for his life, and the oncoming passenger train.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Runaway Spoil Train Barely a mile of the double track of the Panama railway stretched between the inspection car, on which Jim was racing for his life, and the oncoming passenger train.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading He kneeled on his driving seat and looked first one way and then the other, hesitating what to do.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Behind him there was the scrunch, the grinding roar, of the long line of steel wheels carrying the runaway spoil train.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He kneeled on his driving seat and looked first one way and then the other, hesitating what to do.
commonly the lowest molding at the base of a column
From this reading The rush of air, as he tore along, sent his broad-brimmed hat flying, and set his hair streaking out behind him.
a line or route along which something travels or moves
From this reading The Runaway Spoil Train Barely a mile of the double track of the Panama railway stretched between the inspection car, on which Jim was racing for his life, and the oncoming passenger train.
create by training and teaching
From this reading The Runaway Spoil Train Barely a mile of the double track of the Panama railway stretched between the inspection car, on which Jim was racing for his life, and the oncoming passenger train.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Runaway Spoil Train Barely a mile of the double track of the Panama railway stretched between the inspection car, on which Jim was racing for his life, and the oncoming passenger train.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading He kneeled on his driving seat and looked first one way and then the other, hesitating what to do.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He kneeled on his driving seat and looked first one way and then the other, hesitating what to do.
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 Glancing over his shoulder he could see the smoke billowing from the locomotive and the escape steam blowing out between her leading wheels.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The Runaway Spoil Train Barely a mile of the double track of the Panama railway stretched between the inspection car, on which Jim was racing for his life, and the oncoming passenger train.
