used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Out on the tarmac the big RCAF jet transport rolled ponderously behind its tractor, wings drooping like a great eagle hovering over its nest.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Now that intercontinental air traffic had ceased, Sea Island was quieter than usual, but even so, the roar of engines warming up in the cold dawn made it difficult to hear.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It glided silently to the loading area and we moved, a small knot of people, to where we could watch and wait for the word to embark.
the month following March and preceding May
From this reading Towards the end of April the Canadian research team left for Hong Kong.
areanounUS /ˈeriə/
a particular geographical region of indefinite boundary (usually serving some special purpose or distinguished by its people or culture or geography)
From this reading It glided silently to the loading area and we moved, a small knot of people, to where we could watch and wait for the word to embark.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "I hope Hong Kong will be warmer than this, Harry," I said, shivering deeper into my trench coat as the cold dawn wind crawled up my sleeves and down my neck.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "I hope Hong Kong will be warmer than this, Harry," I said, shivering deeper into my trench coat as the cold dawn wind crawled up my sleeves and down my neck.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Out on the tarmac the big RCAF jet transport rolled ponderously behind its tractor, wings drooping like a great eagle hovering over its nest.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Out on the tarmac the big RCAF jet transport rolled ponderously behind its tractor, wings drooping like a great eagle hovering over its nest.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Now that intercontinental air traffic had ceased, Sea Island was quieter than usual, but even so, the roar of engines warming up in the cold dawn made it difficult to hear.
CanadianadjectiveUS /kəˈneɪdiən/
of or relating to Canada or its people
From this reading Towards the end of April the Canadian research team left for Hong Kong.
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading Now that intercontinental air traffic had ceased, Sea Island was quieter than usual, but even so, the roar of engines warming up in the cold dawn made it difficult to hear.
an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading "I hope Hong Kong will be warmer than this, Harry," I said, shivering deeper into my trench coat as the cold dawn wind crawled up my sleeves and down my neck.
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 Now that intercontinental air traffic had ceased, Sea Island was quieter than usual, but even so, the roar of engines warming up in the cold dawn made it difficult to hear.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It glided silently to the loading area and we moved, a small knot of people, to where we could watch and wait for the word to embark.
crawledverbUS /krɔːld/
past form of “crawl” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading "I hope Hong Kong will be warmer than this, Harry," I said, shivering deeper into my trench coat as the cold dawn wind crawled up my sleeves and down my neck.
the first light of day
From this reading Now that intercontinental air traffic had ceased, Sea Island was quieter than usual, but even so, the roar of engines warming up in the cold dawn made it difficult to hear.
comparative of “deeply” — to a great depth psychologically or emotionally
From this reading "I hope Hong Kong will be warmer than this, Harry," I said, shivering deeper into my trench coat as the cold dawn wind crawled up my sleeves and down my neck.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Now that intercontinental air traffic had ceased, Sea Island was quieter than usual, but even so, the roar of engines warming up in the cold dawn made it difficult to hear.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading "I hope Hong Kong will be warmer than this, Harry," I said, shivering deeper into my trench coat as the cold dawn wind crawled up my sleeves and down my neck.
droopingadjectiveUS /ˈdruːpɪŋ/
weak from exhaustion
From this reading Out on the tarmac the big RCAF jet transport rolled ponderously behind its tractor, wings drooping like a great eagle hovering over its nest.
eaglenounUS /ˈiːɡəl/
any of various large keen-sighted diurnal birds of prey noted for their broad wings and strong soaring flight
From this reading Out on the tarmac the big RCAF jet transport rolled ponderously behind its tractor, wings drooping like a great eagle hovering over its nest.
embarkverbUS /emˈbɑːrk/
go on board
From this reading It glided silently to the loading area and we moved, a small knot of people, to where we could watch and wait for the word to embark.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Towards the end of April the Canadian research team left for Hong Kong.
enginesnounUS /ˈendʒənz/
plural of “engine” — motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work
From this reading Now that intercontinental air traffic had ceased, Sea Island was quieter than usual, but even so, the roar of engines warming up in the cold dawn made it difficult to hear.
divisible by two
From this reading Now that intercontinental air traffic had ceased, Sea Island was quieter than usual, but even so, the roar of engines warming up in the cold dawn made it difficult to hear.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Towards the end of April the Canadian research team left for Hong Kong.
glidedverbUS /ˈɡlaɪdɪd/
past form of “glide” — move smoothly and effortlessly
From this reading It glided silently to the loading area and we moved, a small knot of people, to where we could watch and wait for the word to embark.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Out on the tarmac the big RCAF jet transport rolled ponderously behind its tractor, wings drooping like a great eagle hovering over its nest.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Now that intercontinental air traffic had ceased, Sea Island was quieter than usual, but even so, the roar of engines warming up in the cold dawn made it difficult to hear.
annoy continually or chronically
From this reading "I hope Hong Kong will be warmer than this, Harry," I said, shivering deeper into my trench coat as the cold dawn wind crawled up my sleeves and down my neck.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading Now that intercontinental air traffic had ceased, Sea Island was quieter than usual, but even so, the roar of engines warming up in the cold dawn made it difficult to hear.
Hong
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Towards the end of April the Canadian research team left for Hong Kong.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading "I hope Hong Kong will be warmer than this, Harry," I said, shivering deeper into my trench coat as the cold dawn wind crawled up my sleeves and down my neck.
hoveringverbUS /ˈhʌvərɪŋ/
-ing form of “hover” — be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of action
From this reading Out on the tarmac the big RCAF jet transport rolled ponderously behind its tractor, wings drooping like a great eagle hovering over its nest.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I hope Hong Kong will be warmer than this, Harry," I said, shivering deeper into my trench coat as the cold dawn wind crawled up my sleeves and down my neck.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Now that intercontinental air traffic had ceased, Sea Island was quieter than usual, but even so, the roar of engines warming up in the cold dawn made it difficult to hear.
intercontinentaladjectiveUS /ˌɪntərkɑːntəˈnentəl/
extending or taking place between or among continents
From this reading Now that intercontinental air traffic had ceased, Sea Island was quieter than usual, but even so, the roar of engines warming up in the cold dawn made it difficult to hear.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading "I hope Hong Kong will be warmer than this, Harry," I said, shivering deeper into my trench coat as the cold dawn wind crawled up my sleeves and down my neck.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading Now that intercontinental air traffic had ceased, Sea Island was quieter than usual, but even so, the roar of engines warming up in the cold dawn made it difficult to hear.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Now that intercontinental air traffic had ceased, Sea Island was quieter than usual, but even so, the roar of engines warming up in the cold dawn made it difficult to hear.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Out on the tarmac the big RCAF jet transport rolled ponderously behind its tractor, wings drooping like a great eagle hovering over its nest.
jetnounUS /dʒet/
an airplane powered by one or more jet engines
From this reading Out on the tarmac the big RCAF jet transport rolled ponderously behind its tractor, wings drooping like a great eagle hovering over its nest.
knotnounUS /nɑːt/
a tight cluster of people or things
From this reading It glided silently to the loading area and we moved, a small knot of people, to where we could watch and wait for the word to embark.
Kong
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Towards the end of April the Canadian research team left for Hong Kong.
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 Towards the end of April the Canadian research team left for Hong Kong.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Out on the tarmac the big RCAF jet transport rolled ponderously behind its tractor, wings drooping like a great eagle hovering over its nest.
loadingnounUS /ˈloʊdɪŋ/
weight to be borne or conveyed
From this reading It glided silently to the loading area and we moved, a small knot of people, to where we could watch and wait for the word to embark.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Now that intercontinental air traffic had ceased, Sea Island was quieter than usual, but even so, the roar of engines warming up in the cold dawn made it difficult to hear.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading It glided silently to the loading area and we moved, a small knot of people, to where we could watch and wait for the word to embark.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "I hope Hong Kong will be warmer than this, Harry," I said, shivering deeper into my trench coat as the cold dawn wind crawled up my sleeves and down my neck.
the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body
From this reading "I hope Hong Kong will be warmer than this, Harry," I said, shivering deeper into my trench coat as the cold dawn wind crawled up my sleeves and down my neck.
a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young
From this reading Out on the tarmac the big RCAF jet transport rolled ponderously behind its tractor, wings drooping like a great eagle hovering over its nest.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now that intercontinental air traffic had ceased, Sea Island was quieter than usual, but even so, the roar of engines warming up in the cold dawn made it difficult to hear.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Towards the end of April the Canadian research team left for Hong Kong.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Out on the tarmac the big RCAF jet transport rolled ponderously behind its tractor, wings drooping like a great eagle hovering over its nest.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Out on the tarmac the big RCAF jet transport rolled ponderously behind its tractor, wings drooping like a great eagle hovering over its nest.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Out on the tarmac the big RCAF jet transport rolled ponderously behind its tractor, wings drooping like a great eagle hovering over its nest.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading It glided silently to the loading area and we moved, a small knot of people, to where we could watch and wait for the word to embark.
ponderouslyadverb
in an uninterestingly ponderous manner
From this reading Out on the tarmac the big RCAF jet transport rolled ponderously behind its tractor, wings drooping like a great eagle hovering over its nest.
quieteradjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪətər/
comparative of “quiet” — characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading Now that intercontinental air traffic had ceased, Sea Island was quieter than usual, but even so, the roar of engines warming up in the cold dawn made it difficult to hear.
RCAF
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Out on the tarmac the big RCAF jet transport rolled ponderously behind its tractor, wings drooping like a great eagle hovering over its nest.
researchnounUS /riˈsɜːrtʃ/
systematic investigation to establish facts
From this reading Towards the end of April the Canadian research team left for Hong Kong.
make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles
From this reading Now that intercontinental air traffic had ceased, Sea Island was quieter than usual, but even so, the roar of engines warming up in the cold dawn made it difficult to hear.
especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward
From this reading Out on the tarmac the big RCAF jet transport rolled ponderously behind its tractor, wings drooping like a great eagle hovering over its nest.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I hope Hong Kong will be warmer than this, Harry," I said, shivering deeper into my trench coat as the cold dawn wind crawled up my sleeves and down my neck.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading Now that intercontinental air traffic had ceased, Sea Island was quieter than usual, but even so, the roar of engines warming up in the cold dawn made it difficult to hear.
shiveringnounUS /ˈʃɪvərɪŋ/
a sensation of cold that often marks the start of an infection and the development of a fever
From this reading "I hope Hong Kong will be warmer than this, Harry," I said, shivering deeper into my trench coat as the cold dawn wind crawled up my sleeves and down my neck.
without speaking
From this reading It glided silently to the loading area and we moved, a small knot of people, to where we could watch and wait for the word to embark.
sleevesnounUS /sliːvz/
plural of “sleeve” — the part of a garment that is attached at the armhole and that provides a cloth covering for the arm
From this reading "I hope Hong Kong will be warmer than this, Harry," I said, shivering deeper into my trench coat as the cold dawn wind crawled up my sleeves and down my neck.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It glided silently to the loading area and we moved, a small knot of people, to where we could watch and wait for the word to embark.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Now that intercontinental air traffic had ceased, Sea Island was quieter than usual, but even so, the roar of engines warming up in the cold dawn made it difficult to hear.
tarmacnounUS /ˈtɑːrmæk/
a paving material of tar and broken stone; mixed in a factory and shaped during paving
From this reading Out on the tarmac the big RCAF jet transport rolled ponderously behind its tractor, wings drooping like a great eagle hovering over its nest.
teamnounUS /tiːm/
a cooperative unit (especially in sports)
From this reading Towards the end of April the Canadian research team left for Hong Kong.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Now that intercontinental air traffic had ceased, Sea Island was quieter than usual, but even so, the roar of engines warming up in the cold dawn made it difficult to hear.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Now that intercontinental air traffic had ceased, Sea Island was quieter than usual, but even so, the roar of engines warming up in the cold dawn made it difficult to hear.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Towards the end of April the Canadian research team left for Hong Kong.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "I hope Hong Kong will be warmer than this, Harry," I said, shivering deeper into my trench coat as the cold dawn wind crawled up my sleeves and down my neck.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Now that intercontinental air traffic had ceased, Sea Island was quieter than usual, but even so, the roar of engines warming up in the cold dawn made it difficult to hear.
in the direction of
From this reading Towards the end of April the Canadian research team left for Hong Kong.
tractornounUS /ˈtræktər/
a wheeled vehicle with large wheels; used in farming and other applications
From this reading Out on the tarmac the big RCAF jet transport rolled ponderously behind its tractor, wings drooping like a great eagle hovering over its nest.
trafficnounUS /ˈtræfɪk/
the aggregation of things (pedestrians or vehicles) coming and going in a particular locality during a specified period of time
From this reading Now that intercontinental air traffic had ceased, Sea Island was quieter than usual, but even so, the roar of engines warming up in the cold dawn made it difficult to hear.
transportnounUS /trænˈspɔːrt/
something that serves as a means of transportation
From this reading Out on the tarmac the big RCAF jet transport rolled ponderously behind its tractor, wings drooping like a great eagle hovering over its nest.
trenchnounUS /trentʃ/
a ditch dug as a fortification having a parapet of the excavated earth
From this reading "I hope Hong Kong will be warmer than this, Harry," I said, shivering deeper into my trench coat as the cold dawn wind crawled up my sleeves and down my neck.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Now that intercontinental air traffic had ceased, Sea Island was quieter than usual, but even so, the roar of engines warming up in the cold dawn made it difficult to hear.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading Now that intercontinental air traffic had ceased, Sea Island was quieter than usual, but even so, the roar of engines warming up in the cold dawn made it difficult to hear.
stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading It glided silently to the loading area and we moved, a small knot of people, to where we could watch and wait for the word to embark.
warmernounUS /ˈwɔːrmər/
device that heats water or supplies warmth to a room
From this reading "I hope Hong Kong will be warmer than this, Harry," I said, shivering deeper into my trench coat as the cold dawn wind crawled up my sleeves and down my neck.
warmingadjectiveUS /ˈwɔːrmɪŋ/
imparting heat
From this reading Now that intercontinental air traffic had ceased, Sea Island was quieter than usual, but even so, the roar of engines warming up in the cold dawn made it difficult to hear.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Now that intercontinental air traffic had ceased, Sea Island was quieter than usual, but even so, the roar of engines warming up in the cold dawn made it difficult to hear.
look attentively
From this reading It glided silently to the loading area and we moved, a small knot of people, to where we could watch and wait for the word to embark.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading It glided silently to the loading area and we moved, a small knot of people, to where we could watch and wait for the word to embark.
in or at the place that
From this reading It glided silently to the loading area and we moved, a small knot of people, to where we could watch and wait for the word to embark.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "I hope Hong Kong will be warmer than this, Harry," I said, shivering deeper into my trench coat as the cold dawn wind crawled up my sleeves and down my neck.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading "I hope Hong Kong will be warmer than this, Harry," I said, shivering deeper into my trench coat as the cold dawn wind crawled up my sleeves and down my neck.
a means of flight or ascent
From this reading Out on the tarmac the big RCAF jet transport rolled ponderously behind its tractor, wings drooping like a great eagle hovering over its nest.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading It glided silently to the loading area and we moved, a small knot of people, to where we could watch and wait for the word to embark.
