adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading We possessed no cranes for this purpose, so I set to work and improvised a shears made of a couple of thirty-foot rails.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading These were bolted together at the top, while the other ends were fixed at a distance of about ten feet apart in a large block of wood.
abutments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the piers and abutments progressed in height, the question of how to lift the large stones into their positions had to be solved.
actedverbUS /ˈæktɪd/
past form of “act” — perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading This contrivance acted capitally, and by manipulation of ropes and pulleys the heavy stones were swung into position quickly and without difficulty, so that in a very short time the masonry of the bridge was completed.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading THE COMPLETION OF THE TSAVO BRIDGE When all the excitement had died down and there was no longer any dread of the man-eaters, work went on briskly, and the bridge over the Tsavo rapidly neared completion.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE COMPLETION OF THE TSAVO BRIDGE When all the excitement had died down and there was no longer any dread of the man-eaters, work went on briskly, and the bridge over the Tsavo rapidly neared completion.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading THE COMPLETION OF THE TSAVO BRIDGE When all the excitement had died down and there was no longer any dread of the man-eaters, work went on briskly, and the bridge over the Tsavo rapidly neared completion.
apartadverbUS /əˈpɑːrt/
separated or at a distance in place or position or time
From this reading These were bolted together at the top, while the other ends were fixed at a distance of about ten feet apart in a large block of wood.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As the piers and abutments progressed in height, the question of how to lift the large stones into their positions had to be solved.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading These were bolted together at the top, while the other ends were fixed at a distance of about ten feet apart in a large block of wood.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading As the piers and abutments progressed in height, the question of how to lift the large stones into their positions had to be solved.
blocknounUS /blɑːk/
a solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides)
From this reading These were bolted together at the top, while the other ends were fixed at a distance of about ten feet apart in a large block of wood.
boltedverbUS /ˈboʊltəd/
past form of “bolt” — move or jump suddenly
From this reading These were bolted together at the top, while the other ends were fixed at a distance of about ten feet apart in a large block of wood.
BRIDGEnounUS /brɪdʒ/
a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.
From this reading THE COMPLETION OF THE TSAVO BRIDGE When all the excitement had died down and there was no longer any dread of the man-eaters, work went on briskly, and the bridge over the Tsavo rapidly neared completion.
brisklyadverbUS /ˈbrɪskli/
in a brisk manner
From this reading THE COMPLETION OF THE TSAVO BRIDGE When all the excitement had died down and there was no longer any dread of the man-eaters, work went on briskly, and the bridge over the Tsavo rapidly neared completion.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading This contrivance acted capitally, and by manipulation of ropes and pulleys the heavy stones were swung into position quickly and without difficulty, so that in a very short time the masonry of the bridge was completed.
capitally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This contrivance acted capitally, and by manipulation of ropes and pulleys the heavy stones were swung into position quickly and without difficulty, so that in a very short time the masonry of the bridge was completed.
completedadjectiveUS /kəmˈpliːtəd/
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading This contrivance acted capitally, and by manipulation of ropes and pulleys the heavy stones were swung into position quickly and without difficulty, so that in a very short time the masonry of the bridge was completed.
COMPLETIONnounUS /kəmˈpliːʃən/
(American football) a successful forward pass in football
From this reading THE COMPLETION OF THE TSAVO BRIDGE When all the excitement had died down and there was no longer any dread of the man-eaters, work went on briskly, and the bridge over the Tsavo rapidly neared completion.
contrivancenounUS /kənˈtraɪvəns/
a device or control that is very useful for a particular job
From this reading This contrivance acted capitally, and by manipulation of ropes and pulleys the heavy stones were swung into position quickly and without difficulty, so that in a very short time the masonry of the bridge was completed.
couplenounUS /ˈkʌpəl/
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading We possessed no cranes for this purpose, so I set to work and improvised a shears made of a couple of thirty-foot rails.
cranesnounUS /kreɪnz/
plural of “crane” — United States writer (1871-1900)
From this reading We possessed no cranes for this purpose, so I set to work and improvised a shears made of a couple of thirty-foot rails.
diedverbUS /daɪd/
past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading THE COMPLETION OF THE TSAVO BRIDGE When all the excitement had died down and there was no longer any dread of the man-eaters, work went on briskly, and the bridge over the Tsavo rapidly neared completion.
difficultynounUS /ˈdɪfəkəlti/
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading This contrivance acted capitally, and by manipulation of ropes and pulleys the heavy stones were swung into position quickly and without difficulty, so that in a very short time the masonry of the bridge was completed.
distancenounUS /ˈdɪstəns/
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading These were bolted together at the top, while the other ends were fixed at a distance of about ten feet apart in a large block of wood.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading THE COMPLETION OF THE TSAVO BRIDGE When all the excitement had died down and there was no longer any dread of the man-eaters, work went on briskly, and the bridge over the Tsavo rapidly neared completion.
dreadnounUS /dred/
fearful expectation or anticipation
From this reading THE COMPLETION OF THE TSAVO BRIDGE When all the excitement had died down and there was no longer any dread of the man-eaters, work went on briskly, and the bridge over the Tsavo rapidly neared completion.
endsnounUS /endz/
plural of “end” — either extremity of something that has length
From this reading These were bolted together at the top, while the other ends were fixed at a distance of about ten feet apart in a large block of wood.
excitementnounUS /ɪkˈsaɪtmənt/
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading THE COMPLETION OF THE TSAVO BRIDGE When all the excitement had died down and there was no longer any dread of the man-eaters, work went on briskly, and the bridge over the Tsavo rapidly neared completion.
feetnounUS /fiːt/
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading These were bolted together at the top, while the other ends were fixed at a distance of about ten feet apart in a large block of wood.
fixedadjectiveUS /fɪkst/
(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value
From this reading These were bolted together at the top, while the other ends were fixed at a distance of about ten feet apart in a large block of wood.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading We possessed no cranes for this purpose, so I set to work and improvised a shears made of a couple of thirty-foot rails.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE COMPLETION OF THE TSAVO BRIDGE When all the excitement had died down and there was no longer any dread of the man-eaters, work went on briskly, and the bridge over the Tsavo rapidly neared completion.
heavyadjectiveUS /ˈhevi/
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading This contrivance acted capitally, and by manipulation of ropes and pulleys the heavy stones were swung into position quickly and without difficulty, so that in a very short time the masonry of the bridge was completed.
heightnounUS /haɪt/
the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top
From this reading As the piers and abutments progressed in height, the question of how to lift the large stones into their positions had to be solved.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the piers and abutments progressed in height, the question of how to lift the large stones into their positions had to be solved.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading We possessed no cranes for this purpose, so I set to work and improvised a shears made of a couple of thirty-foot rails.
improvisedadjectiveUS /ˈɪmprəvaɪzd/
done or made using whatever is available
From this reading We possessed no cranes for this purpose, so I set to work and improvised a shears made of a couple of thirty-foot rails.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As the piers and abutments progressed in height, the question of how to lift the large stones into their positions had to be solved.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading As the piers and abutments progressed in height, the question of how to lift the large stones into their positions had to be solved.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading As the piers and abutments progressed in height, the question of how to lift the large stones into their positions had to be solved.
liftverbUS /lɪft/
raise from a lower to a higher position
From this reading As the piers and abutments progressed in height, the question of how to lift the large stones into their positions had to be solved.
longeradverbUS /ˈlɔːŋɡər/
for more time
From this reading THE COMPLETION OF THE TSAVO BRIDGE When all the excitement had died down and there was no longer any dread of the man-eaters, work went on briskly, and the bridge over the Tsavo rapidly neared completion.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading We possessed no cranes for this purpose, so I set to work and improvised a shears made of a couple of thirty-foot rails.
man-eaters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE COMPLETION OF THE TSAVO BRIDGE When all the excitement had died down and there was no longer any dread of the man-eaters, work went on briskly, and the bridge over the Tsavo rapidly neared completion.
manipulationnounUS /məˌnɪpjəˈleɪʃən/
exerting shrewd or devious influence especially for one's own advantage
From this reading This contrivance acted capitally, and by manipulation of ropes and pulleys the heavy stones were swung into position quickly and without difficulty, so that in a very short time the masonry of the bridge was completed.
masonrynounUS /ˈmeɪsənri/
structure built of stone or brick by a mason
From this reading This contrivance acted capitally, and by manipulation of ropes and pulleys the heavy stones were swung into position quickly and without difficulty, so that in a very short time the masonry of the bridge was completed.
nearedverbUS /nɪrd/
past form of “near” — move towards
From this reading THE COMPLETION OF THE TSAVO BRIDGE When all the excitement had died down and there was no longer any dread of the man-eaters, work went on briskly, and the bridge over the Tsavo rapidly neared completion.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading THE COMPLETION OF THE TSAVO BRIDGE When all the excitement had died down and there was no longer any dread of the man-eaters, work went on briskly, and the bridge over the Tsavo rapidly neared completion.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE COMPLETION OF THE TSAVO BRIDGE When all the excitement had died down and there was no longer any dread of the man-eaters, work went on briskly, and the bridge over the Tsavo rapidly neared completion.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE COMPLETION OF THE TSAVO BRIDGE When all the excitement had died down and there was no longer any dread of the man-eaters, work went on briskly, and the bridge over the Tsavo rapidly neared completion.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading These were bolted together at the top, while the other ends were fixed at a distance of about ten feet apart in a large block of wood.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading THE COMPLETION OF THE TSAVO BRIDGE When all the excitement had died down and there was no longer any dread of the man-eaters, work went on briskly, and the bridge over the Tsavo rapidly neared completion.
piersnounUS /pɪrz/
plural of “pier” — a platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats
From this reading As the piers and abutments progressed in height, the question of how to lift the large stones into their positions had to be solved.
positionnounUS /pəˈzɪʃən/
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading This contrivance acted capitally, and by manipulation of ropes and pulleys the heavy stones were swung into position quickly and without difficulty, so that in a very short time the masonry of the bridge was completed.
positionsnounUS /pəˈzɪʃənz/
plural of “position” — the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading As the piers and abutments progressed in height, the question of how to lift the large stones into their positions had to be solved.
possessedadjectiveUS /pəˈzest/
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading We possessed no cranes for this purpose, so I set to work and improvised a shears made of a couple of thirty-foot rails.
progressedverbUS /prəˈɡrest/
past form of “progress” — develop in a positive way
From this reading As the piers and abutments progressed in height, the question of how to lift the large stones into their positions had to be solved.
pulleysnounUS /ˈpʊliz/
plural of “pulley” — a simple machine consisting of a wheel with a groove in which a rope can run to change the direction or point of application of a force applied to the rope
From this reading This contrivance acted capitally, and by manipulation of ropes and pulleys the heavy stones were swung into position quickly and without difficulty, so that in a very short time the masonry of the bridge was completed.
purposenounUS /ˈpɜːrpəs/
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading We possessed no cranes for this purpose, so I set to work and improvised a shears made of a couple of thirty-foot rails.
questionverbUS /ˈkwestʃən/
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading As the piers and abutments progressed in height, the question of how to lift the large stones into their positions had to be solved.
quicklyadverbUS /ˈkwɪkli/
with speed
From this reading This contrivance acted capitally, and by manipulation of ropes and pulleys the heavy stones were swung into position quickly and without difficulty, so that in a very short time the masonry of the bridge was completed.
railsnounUS /reɪlz/
a bar or pair of parallel bars of rolled steel making the railway along which railroad cars or other vehicles can roll
From this reading We possessed no cranes for this purpose, so I set to work and improvised a shears made of a couple of thirty-foot rails.
rapidlyadverbUS /ˈræpədli/
with speed
From this reading THE COMPLETION OF THE TSAVO BRIDGE When all the excitement had died down and there was no longer any dread of the man-eaters, work went on briskly, and the bridge over the Tsavo rapidly neared completion.
ropesnounUS /roʊps/
plural of “rope” — a strong line
From this reading This contrivance acted capitally, and by manipulation of ropes and pulleys the heavy stones were swung into position quickly and without difficulty, so that in a very short time the masonry of the bridge was completed.
setverbUS /set/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading We possessed no cranes for this purpose, so I set to work and improvised a shears made of a couple of thirty-foot rails.
shearsnounUS /ʃiːrz/
large scissors with strong blades
From this reading We possessed no cranes for this purpose, so I set to work and improvised a shears made of a couple of thirty-foot rails.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔːrt/
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading This contrivance acted capitally, and by manipulation of ropes and pulleys the heavy stones were swung into position quickly and without difficulty, so that in a very short time the masonry of the bridge was completed.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading We possessed no cranes for this purpose, so I set to work and improvised a shears made of a couple of thirty-foot rails.
solvedadjectiveUS /sɑːlvd/
explained or answered
From this reading As the piers and abutments progressed in height, the question of how to lift the large stones into their positions had to be solved.
stonesnounUS /stoʊnz/
plural of “stone” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading As the piers and abutments progressed in height, the question of how to lift the large stones into their positions had to be solved.
swungverbUS /swʌŋ/
inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading This contrivance acted capitally, and by manipulation of ropes and pulleys the heavy stones were swung into position quickly and without difficulty, so that in a very short time the masonry of the bridge was completed.
tennounUS /ten/
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading These were bolted together at the top, while the other ends were fixed at a distance of about ten feet apart in a large block of wood.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading This contrivance acted capitally, and by manipulation of ropes and pulleys the heavy stones were swung into position quickly and without difficulty, so that in a very short time the masonry of the bridge was completed.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE COMPLETION OF THE TSAVO BRIDGE When all the excitement had died down and there was no longer any dread of the man-eaters, work went on briskly, and the bridge over the Tsavo rapidly neared completion.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading As the piers and abutments progressed in height, the question of how to lift the large stones into their positions had to be solved.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading THE COMPLETION OF THE TSAVO BRIDGE When all the excitement had died down and there was no longer any dread of the man-eaters, work went on briskly, and the bridge over the Tsavo rapidly neared completion.
ThesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These were bolted together at the top, while the other ends were fixed at a distance of about ten feet apart in a large block of wood.
thirty-foot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We possessed no cranes for this purpose, so I set to work and improvised a shears made of a couple of thirty-foot rails.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading We possessed no cranes for this purpose, so I set to work and improvised a shears made of a couple of thirty-foot rails.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading This contrivance acted capitally, and by manipulation of ropes and pulleys the heavy stones were swung into position quickly and without difficulty, so that in a very short time the masonry of the bridge was completed.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As the piers and abutments progressed in height, the question of how to lift the large stones into their positions had to be solved.
togetheradverbUS /təˈɡeðər/
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading These were bolted together at the top, while the other ends were fixed at a distance of about ten feet apart in a large block of wood.
topnounUS /tɑːp/
the upper part of anything
From this reading These were bolted together at the top, while the other ends were fixed at a distance of about ten feet apart in a large block of wood.
TSAVO
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE COMPLETION OF THE TSAVO BRIDGE When all the excitement had died down and there was no longer any dread of the man-eaters, work went on briskly, and the bridge over the Tsavo rapidly neared completion.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading This contrivance acted capitally, and by manipulation of ropes and pulleys the heavy stones were swung into position quickly and without difficulty, so that in a very short time the masonry of the bridge was completed.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE COMPLETION OF THE TSAVO BRIDGE When all the excitement had died down and there was no longer any dread of the man-eaters, work went on briskly, and the bridge over the Tsavo rapidly neared completion.
WepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We possessed no cranes for this purpose, so I set to work and improvised a shears made of a couple of thirty-foot rails.
wentverbUS /went/
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading THE COMPLETION OF THE TSAVO BRIDGE When all the excitement had died down and there was no longer any dread of the man-eaters, work went on briskly, and the bridge over the Tsavo rapidly neared completion.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading These were bolted together at the top, while the other ends were fixed at a distance of about ten feet apart in a large block of wood.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading THE COMPLETION OF THE TSAVO BRIDGE When all the excitement had died down and there was no longer any dread of the man-eaters, work went on briskly, and the bridge over the Tsavo rapidly neared completion.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading These were bolted together at the top, while the other ends were fixed at a distance of about ten feet apart in a large block of wood.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading This contrivance acted capitally, and by manipulation of ropes and pulleys the heavy stones were swung into position quickly and without difficulty, so that in a very short time the masonry of the bridge was completed.
woodnounUS /wʊd/
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading These were bolted together at the top, while the other ends were fixed at a distance of about ten feet apart in a large block of wood.
workverbUS /wɜːrk/
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading THE COMPLETION OF THE TSAVO BRIDGE When all the excitement had died down and there was no longer any dread of the man-eaters, work went on briskly, and the bridge over the Tsavo rapidly neared completion.
