used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Well, we have wandered a bit from the subject in hand.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Talk about flying machines--weeds are centuries ahead of men along these lines.
anew
From this reading Weeds are again discouraging because they have such facilities for travel.
at or in the front
From this reading Talk about flying machines--weeds are centuries ahead of men along these lines.
alightverbUS /əˈlaɪt/
to come to rest, settle
From this reading With its perfect ballast it flies beautifully along over field and river ready to alight in proper seed style, end down.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Talk about flying machines--weeds are centuries ahead of men along these lines.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading With its perfect ballast it flies beautifully along over field and river ready to alight in proper seed style, end down.
apparatusnounUS /ˌæpərˈætəs/
equipment designed to serve a specific function
From this reading Look at a milkweed seed; it is a complete flying apparatus.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Weeds are again discouraging because they have such facilities for travel.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Look at a milkweed seed; it is a complete flying apparatus.
ballastnounUS /ˈbæləst/
any heavy material used to stabilize a ship or airship
From this reading With its perfect ballast it flies beautifully along over field and river ready to alight in proper seed style, end down.
beautifullyadverbUS /ˈbjuːtəfli/
in a beautiful manner
From this reading With its perfect ballast it flies beautifully along over field and river ready to alight in proper seed style, end down.
for the reason that
From this reading Weeds are again discouraging because they have such facilities for travel.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading "Well, we have wandered a bit from the subject in hand.
centuriesnounUS /ˈsentʃəriz/
plural of “century” — a period of 100 years
From this reading Talk about flying machines--weeds are centuries ahead of men along these lines.
come or bring to a finish or an end
From this reading Look at a milkweed seed; it is a complete flying apparatus.
discouragingadjectiveUS /dɪˈskɜːrədʒɪŋ/
depriving of confidence or hope or enthusiasm and hence often deterring action
From this reading Weeds are again discouraging because they have such facilities for travel.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading With its perfect ballast it flies beautifully along over field and river ready to alight in proper seed style, end down.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading With its perfect ballast it flies beautifully along over field and river ready to alight in proper seed style, end down.
facilitiesnounUS /fəˈsɪlətiz/
plural of “facility” — a building or place that provides a particular service or is used for a particular industry
From this reading Weeds are again discouraging because they have such facilities for travel.
a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed
From this reading With its perfect ballast it flies beautifully along over field and river ready to alight in proper seed style, end down.
fliesnounUS /flaɪz/
(theater) the space over the stage (out of view of the audience) used to store scenery (drop curtains)
From this reading With its perfect ballast it flies beautifully along over field and river ready to alight in proper seed style, end down.
moving swiftly
From this reading Talk about flying machines--weeds are centuries ahead of men along these lines.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Weeds are again discouraging because they have such facilities for travel.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "Well, we have wandered a bit from the subject in hand.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading "Well, we have wandered a bit from the subject in hand.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "Well, we have wandered a bit from the subject in hand.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Well, we have wandered a bit from the subject in hand.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Look at a milkweed seed; it is a complete flying apparatus.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Look at a milkweed seed; it is a complete flying apparatus.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading With its perfect ballast it flies beautifully along over field and river ready to alight in proper seed style, end down.
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading Talk about flying machines--weeds are centuries ahead of men along these lines.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Look at a milkweed seed; it is a complete flying apparatus.
machinesnounUS /məˈʃiːnz/
plural of “machine” — any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks
From this reading Talk about flying machines--weeds are centuries ahead of men along these lines.
the force of workers available
From this reading Talk about flying machines--weeds are centuries ahead of men along these lines.
milkweednounUS /ˈmɪlkwiːd/
any of numerous plants of the genus Asclepias having milky juice and pods that split open releasing seeds with downy tufts
From this reading Look at a milkweed seed; it is a complete flying apparatus.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Talk about flying machines--weeds are centuries ahead of men along these lines.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading With its perfect ballast it flies beautifully along over field and river ready to alight in proper seed style, end down.
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading With its perfect ballast it flies beautifully along over field and river ready to alight in proper seed style, end down.
marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness
From this reading With its perfect ballast it flies beautifully along over field and river ready to alight in proper seed style, end down.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading With its perfect ballast it flies beautifully along over field and river ready to alight in proper seed style, end down.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading With its perfect ballast it flies beautifully along over field and river ready to alight in proper seed style, end down.
seednounUS /siːd/
a small hard fruit
From this reading Look at a milkweed seed; it is a complete flying apparatus.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading With its perfect ballast it flies beautifully along over field and river ready to alight in proper seed style, end down.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading "Well, we have wandered a bit from the subject in hand.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Weeds are again discouraging because they have such facilities for travel.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading Talk about flying machines--weeds are centuries ahead of men along these lines.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Well, we have wandered a bit from the subject in hand.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Talk about flying machines--weeds are centuries ahead of men along these lines.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Weeds are again discouraging because they have such facilities for travel.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading With its perfect ballast it flies beautifully along over field and river ready to alight in proper seed style, end down.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Weeds are again discouraging because they have such facilities for travel.
past form of “wander” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading "Well, we have wandered a bit from the subject in hand.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "Well, we have wandered a bit from the subject in hand.
WeedsnounUS /wiːdz/
a black garment (dress) worn by a widow as a sign of mourning
From this reading Weeds are again discouraging because they have such facilities for travel.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading "Well, we have wandered a bit from the subject in hand.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With its perfect ballast it flies beautifully along over field and river ready to alight in proper seed style, end down.
