used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Outside, rifles were crackling like corn in a giant popper.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The thud of their running feet, and the wholesome mingling of their shouting struck sharply in the silence after the shooting.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Presently it slackened to an occasional shot.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The thud of their running feet, and the wholesome mingling of their shouting struck sharply in the silence after the shooting.
brakemannounUS /ˈbreɪkmən/
a railroad employee responsible for a train's brakes
From this reading A brakeman, followed by two coatless mail-clerks with Winchesters, ran down the length of the train calling out that there was no danger.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A brakeman, followed by two coatless mail-clerks with Winchesters, ran down the length of the train calling out that there was no danger.
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading A brakeman, followed by two coatless mail-clerks with Winchesters, ran down the length of the train calling out that there was no danger.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading One of the men swung up on the steps of the day coach and came in.
teach and supervise (someone); act as a trainer or coach (to), as in sports
From this reading One of the men swung up on the steps of the day coach and came in.
coatless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A brakeman, followed by two coatless mail-clerks with Winchesters, ran down the length of the train calling out that there was no danger.
tall annual cereal grass bearing kernels on large ears: widely cultivated in America in many varieties; the principal cereal in Mexico and Central and South America since pre-Columbian times
From this reading Outside, rifles were crackling like corn in a giant popper.
cracklingnounUS /ˈkræklɪŋ/
the residue that remains after animal fat has been rendered
From this reading Outside, rifles were crackling like corn in a giant popper.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading A brakeman, followed by two coatless mail-clerks with Winchesters, ran down the length of the train calling out that there was no danger.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading One of the men swung up on the steps of the day coach and came in.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading A brakeman, followed by two coatless mail-clerks with Winchesters, ran down the length of the train calling out that there was no danger.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading The thud of their running feet, and the wholesome mingling of their shouting struck sharply in the silence after the shooting.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading A brakeman, followed by two coatless mail-clerks with Winchesters, ran down the length of the train calling out that there was no danger.
any creature of exceptional size
From this reading Outside, rifles were crackling like corn in a giant popper.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Outside, rifles were crackling like corn in a giant popper.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Presently it slackened to an occasional shot.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading A brakeman, followed by two coatless mail-clerks with Winchesters, ran down the length of the train calling out that there was no danger.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Outside, rifles were crackling like corn in a giant popper.
mail-clerks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A brakeman, followed by two coatless mail-clerks with Winchesters, ran down the length of the train calling out that there was no danger.
the force of workers available
From this reading One of the men swung up on the steps of the day coach and came in.
minglingnounUS /ˈmɪŋɡəlɪŋ/
the action of people mingling and coming into contact
From this reading The thud of their running feet, and the wholesome mingling of their shouting struck sharply in the silence after the shooting.
not any; not one
From this reading A brakeman, followed by two coatless mail-clerks with Winchesters, ran down the length of the train calling out that there was no danger.
occasionaladjectiveUS /əˈkeɪʒənəl/
occurring from time to time
From this reading Presently it slackened to an occasional shot.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A brakeman, followed by two coatless mail-clerks with Winchesters, ran down the length of the train calling out that there was no danger.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading One of the men swung up on the steps of the day coach and came in.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One of the men swung up on the steps of the day coach and came in.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading A brakeman, followed by two coatless mail-clerks with Winchesters, ran down the length of the train calling out that there was no danger.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Outside, rifles were crackling like corn in a giant popper.
poppernounUS /ˈpɑːpər/
British philosopher (born in Austria) who argued that scientific theories can never be proved to be true, but are tested by attempts to falsify them (1902-1994)
From this reading Outside, rifles were crackling like corn in a giant popper.
in the near future
From this reading Presently it slackened to an occasional shot.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading A brakeman, followed by two coatless mail-clerks with Winchesters, ran down the length of the train calling out that there was no danger.
riflesnounUS /ˈraɪfəlz/
plural of “rifle” — a shoulder firearm with a long barrel and a rifled bore
From this reading Outside, rifles were crackling like corn in a giant popper.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading The thud of their running feet, and the wholesome mingling of their shouting struck sharply in the silence after the shooting.
in an aggressive manner
From this reading The thud of their running feet, and the wholesome mingling of their shouting struck sharply in the silence after the shooting.
shootingnounUS /ˈʃuːtɪŋ/
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading The thud of their running feet, and the wholesome mingling of their shouting struck sharply in the silence after the shooting.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading Presently it slackened to an occasional shot.
encouragement in the form of cheers from spectators
From this reading The thud of their running feet, and the wholesome mingling of their shouting struck sharply in the silence after the shooting.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading The thud of their running feet, and the wholesome mingling of their shouting struck sharply in the silence after the shooting.
slackenedverbUS /ˈslækənd/
past form of “slacken” — become slow or slower
From this reading Presently it slackened to an occasional shot.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading One of the men swung up on the steps of the day coach and came in.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading The thud of their running feet, and the wholesome mingling of their shouting struck sharply in the silence after the shooting.
inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading One of the men swung up on the steps of the day coach and came in.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A brakeman, followed by two coatless mail-clerks with Winchesters, ran down the length of the train calling out that there was no danger.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A brakeman, followed by two coatless mail-clerks with Winchesters, ran down the length of the train calling out that there was no danger.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The thud of their running feet, and the wholesome mingling of their shouting struck sharply in the silence after the shooting.
in or at that place or location
From this reading A brakeman, followed by two coatless mail-clerks with Winchesters, ran down the length of the train calling out that there was no danger.
thudverbUS /θʌd/
make a dull sound
From this reading The thud of their running feet, and the wholesome mingling of their shouting struck sharply in the silence after the shooting.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Presently it slackened to an occasional shot.
create by training and teaching
From this reading A brakeman, followed by two coatless mail-clerks with Winchesters, ran down the length of the train calling out that there was no danger.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading A brakeman, followed by two coatless mail-clerks with Winchesters, ran down the length of the train calling out that there was no danger.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading One of the men swung up on the steps of the day coach and came in.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A brakeman, followed by two coatless mail-clerks with Winchesters, ran down the length of the train calling out that there was no danger.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Outside, rifles were crackling like corn in a giant popper.
wholesomeadjectiveUS /ˈhoʊlsəm/
conducive to or characteristic of physical or moral well-being
From this reading The thud of their running feet, and the wholesome mingling of their shouting struck sharply in the silence after the shooting.
Winchesters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A brakeman, followed by two coatless mail-clerks with Winchesters, ran down the length of the train calling out that there was no danger.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A brakeman, followed by two coatless mail-clerks with Winchesters, ran down the length of the train calling out that there was no danger.
