used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A RACE IN THE AIR Andy’s excitement was shared not only by the motor boys and their girl friends, but by the vast throng gathered on the carnival grounds.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The motors of the balloons, banging away, sounded like a battle in the air, and the propellers whirled about so swiftly that they could not be seen from the earth.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading A RACE IN THE AIR Andy’s excitement was shared not only by the motor boys and their girl friends, but by the vast throng gathered on the carnival grounds.
(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 As the balloons rose in the air they seemed to become smaller, and then they all headed in the same direction, for, as Andy had said, there was to be a race of the dirigible machines.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading There was something inspiring in the sight of the vast bulks of the balloons, skimming along through the air like gigantic birds.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A RACE IN THE AIR Andy’s excitement was shared not only by the motor boys and their girl friends, but by the vast throng gathered on the carnival grounds.
Andy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the balloons rose in the air they seemed to become smaller, and then they all headed in the same direction, for, as Andy had said, there was to be a race of the dirigible machines.
Andy's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A RACE IN THE AIR Andy’s excitement was shared not only by the motor boys and their girl friends, but by the vast throng gathered on the carnival grounds.
annihilateverbUS /əˈnaɪəleɪt/
kill in large numbers
From this reading They seemed to demonstrate man’s conquest of the upper regions, even as the locomotive, the automobile and motor boats have shown what they can do to annihilate space on the earth and in the water.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They seemed to demonstrate man’s conquest of the upper regions, even as the locomotive, the automobile and motor boats have shown what they can do to annihilate space on the earth and in the water.
automobilenounUS /ˈɔːtəmoʊbiːl/
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading They seemed to demonstrate man’s conquest of the upper regions, even as the locomotive, the automobile and motor boats have shown what they can do to annihilate space on the earth and in the water.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The motors of the balloons, banging away, sounded like a battle in the air, and the propellers whirled about so swiftly that they could not be seen from the earth.
balloonsnounUS /bəˈluːnz/
plural of “balloon” — large tough nonrigid bag filled with gas or heated air
From this reading There was something inspiring in the sight of the vast bulks of the balloons, skimming along through the air like gigantic birds.
bangingnounUS /ˈbæŋɪŋ/
a continuing very loud noise
From this reading The motors of the balloons, banging away, sounded like a battle in the air, and the propellers whirled about so swiftly that they could not be seen from the earth.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading The motors of the balloons, banging away, sounded like a battle in the air, and the propellers whirled about so swiftly that they could not be seen from the earth.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading As the balloons rose in the air they seemed to become smaller, and then they all headed in the same direction, for, as Andy had said, there was to be a race of the dirigible machines.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading As the balloons rose in the air they seemed to become smaller, and then they all headed in the same direction, for, as Andy had said, there was to be a race of the dirigible machines.
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading There was something inspiring in the sight of the vast bulks of the balloons, skimming along through the air like gigantic birds.
plural of “boat” — a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading They seemed to demonstrate man’s conquest of the upper regions, even as the locomotive, the automobile and motor boats have shown what they can do to annihilate space on the earth and in the water.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading A RACE IN THE AIR Andy’s excitement was shared not only by the motor boys and their girl friends, but by the vast throng gathered on the carnival grounds.
bulks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was something inspiring in the sight of the vast bulks of the balloons, skimming along through the air like gigantic birds.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A RACE IN THE AIR Andy’s excitement was shared not only by the motor boys and their girl friends, but by the vast throng gathered on the carnival grounds.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A RACE IN THE AIR Andy’s excitement was shared not only by the motor boys and their girl friends, but by the vast throng gathered on the carnival grounds.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading They seemed to demonstrate man’s conquest of the upper regions, even as the locomotive, the automobile and motor boats have shown what they can do to annihilate space on the earth and in the water.
carnivalnounUS /ˈkɑːrnəvəl/
a festival marked by merrymaking and processions
From this reading A RACE IN THE AIR Andy’s excitement was shared not only by the motor boys and their girl friends, but by the vast throng gathered on the carnival grounds.
conquestnounUS /ˈkɑːŋkwest/
the act of conquering
From this reading They seemed to demonstrate man’s conquest of the upper regions, even as the locomotive, the automobile and motor boats have shown what they can do to annihilate space on the earth and in the water.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The motors of the balloons, banging away, sounded like a battle in the air, and the propellers whirled about so swiftly that they could not be seen from the earth.
demonstrateverbUS /ˈdemənstreɪt/
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading They seemed to demonstrate man’s conquest of the upper regions, even as the locomotive, the automobile and motor boats have shown what they can do to annihilate space on the earth and in the water.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading As the balloons rose in the air they seemed to become smaller, and then they all headed in the same direction, for, as Andy had said, there was to be a race of the dirigible machines.
dirigiblenoun
a steerable self-propelled aircraft
From this reading As the balloons rose in the air they seemed to become smaller, and then they all headed in the same direction, for, as Andy had said, there was to be a race of the dirigible machines.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading They seemed to demonstrate man’s conquest of the upper regions, even as the locomotive, the automobile and motor boats have shown what they can do to annihilate space on the earth and in the water.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading They seemed to demonstrate man’s conquest of the upper regions, even as the locomotive, the automobile and motor boats have shown what they can do to annihilate space on the earth and in the water.
divisible by two
From this reading They seemed to demonstrate man’s conquest of the upper regions, even as the locomotive, the automobile and motor boats have shown what they can do to annihilate space on the earth and in the water.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading A RACE IN THE AIR Andy’s excitement was shared not only by the motor boys and their girl friends, but by the vast throng gathered on the carnival grounds.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As the balloons rose in the air they seemed to become smaller, and then they all headed in the same direction, for, as Andy had said, there was to be a race of the dirigible machines.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading A RACE IN THE AIR Andy’s excitement was shared not only by the motor boys and their girl friends, but by the vast throng gathered on the carnival grounds.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The motors of the balloons, banging away, sounded like a battle in the air, and the propellers whirled about so swiftly that they could not be seen from the earth.
brought together in one place
From this reading A RACE IN THE AIR Andy’s excitement was shared not only by the motor boys and their girl friends, but by the vast throng gathered on the carnival grounds.
giganticadjectiveUS /dʒaɪˈɡæntɪk/
so exceedingly large or extensive as to suggest a giant or mammoth
From this reading There was something inspiring in the sight of the vast bulks of the balloons, skimming along through the air like gigantic birds.
a young female
From this reading A RACE IN THE AIR Andy’s excitement was shared not only by the motor boys and their girl friends, but by the vast throng gathered on the carnival grounds.
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading A RACE IN THE AIR Andy’s excitement was shared not only by the motor boys and their girl friends, but by the vast throng gathered on the carnival grounds.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading As the balloons rose in the air they seemed to become smaller, and then they all headed in the same direction, for, as Andy had said, there was to be a race of the dirigible machines.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading They seemed to demonstrate man’s conquest of the upper regions, even as the locomotive, the automobile and motor boats have shown what they can do to annihilate space on the earth and in the water.
headedadjectiveUS /ˈhedəd/
having a heading or course in a certain direction
From this reading As the balloons rose in the air they seemed to become smaller, and then they all headed in the same direction, for, as Andy had said, there was to be a race of the dirigible machines.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A RACE IN THE AIR Andy’s excitement was shared not only by the motor boys and their girl friends, but by the vast throng gathered on the carnival grounds.
inspiringadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈspaɪrɪŋ/
stimulating or exalting to the spirit
From this reading There was something inspiring in the sight of the vast bulks of the balloons, skimming along through the air like gigantic birds.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading There was something inspiring in the sight of the vast bulks of the balloons, skimming along through the air like gigantic birds.
locomotivenounUS /ˌloʊkəˈmoʊtɪv/
a wheeled vehicle consisting of a self-propelled engine that is used to draw trains along railway tracks
From this reading They seemed to demonstrate man’s conquest of the upper regions, even as the locomotive, the automobile and motor boats have shown what they can do to annihilate space on the earth and in the water.
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 As the balloons rose in the air they seemed to become smaller, and then they all headed in the same direction, for, as Andy had said, there was to be a race of the dirigible machines.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading They seemed to demonstrate man’s conquest of the upper regions, even as the locomotive, the automobile and motor boats have shown what they can do to annihilate space on the earth and in the water.
motornounUS /ˈmoʊtər/
machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion
From this reading A RACE IN THE AIR Andy’s excitement was shared not only by the motor boys and their girl friends, but by the vast throng gathered on the carnival grounds.
motorsnounUS /ˈmoʊtərz/
plural of “motor” — machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion
From this reading The motors of the balloons, banging away, sounded like a battle in the air, and the propellers whirled about so swiftly that they could not be seen from the earth.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A RACE IN THE AIR Andy’s excitement was shared not only by the motor boys and their girl friends, but by the vast throng gathered on the carnival grounds.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There was something inspiring in the sight of the vast bulks of the balloons, skimming along through the air like gigantic birds.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A RACE IN THE AIR Andy’s excitement was shared not only by the motor boys and their girl friends, but by the vast throng gathered on the carnival grounds.
and nothing more
From this reading A RACE IN THE AIR Andy’s excitement was shared not only by the motor boys and their girl friends, but by the vast throng gathered on the carnival grounds.
propellersnounUS /prəˈpelərz/
plural of “propeller” — a mechanical device that rotates to push against air or water
From this reading The motors of the balloons, banging away, sounded like a battle in the air, and the propellers whirled about so swiftly that they could not be seen from the earth.
any competition
From this reading A RACE IN THE AIR Andy’s excitement was shared not only by the motor boys and their girl friends, but by the vast throng gathered on the carnival grounds.
regionsnounUS /ˈriːdʒənz/
plural of “region” — the extended spatial location of something
From this reading They seemed to demonstrate man’s conquest of the upper regions, even as the locomotive, the automobile and motor boats have shown what they can do to annihilate space on the earth and in the water.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading As the balloons rose in the air they seemed to become smaller, and then they all headed in the same direction, for, as Andy had said, there was to be a race of the dirigible machines.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading As the balloons rose in the air they seemed to become smaller, and then they all headed in the same direction, for, as Andy had said, there was to be a race of the dirigible machines.
Identical; not different.
From this reading As the balloons rose in the air they seemed to become smaller, and then they all headed in the same direction, for, as Andy had said, there was to be a race of the dirigible machines.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading They seemed to demonstrate man’s conquest of the upper regions, even as the locomotive, the automobile and motor boats have shown what they can do to annihilate space on the earth and in the water.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The motors of the balloons, banging away, sounded like a battle in the air, and the propellers whirled about so swiftly that they could not be seen from the earth.
sharedadjectiveUS /ʃerd/
have in common; held or experienced in common
From this reading A RACE IN THE AIR Andy’s excitement was shared not only by the motor boys and their girl friends, but by the vast throng gathered on the carnival grounds.
inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading They seemed to demonstrate man’s conquest of the upper regions, even as the locomotive, the automobile and motor boats have shown what they can do to annihilate space on the earth and in the water.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading There was something inspiring in the sight of the vast bulks of the balloons, skimming along through the air like gigantic birds.
skimmingnounUS /ˈskɪmɪŋ/
the act of removing floating material from the surface of a liquid
From this reading There was something inspiring in the sight of the vast bulks of the balloons, skimming along through the air like gigantic birds.
small or little relative to something else
From this reading As the balloons rose in the air they seemed to become smaller, and then they all headed in the same direction, for, as Andy had said, there was to be a race of the dirigible machines.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The motors of the balloons, banging away, sounded like a battle in the air, and the propellers whirled about so swiftly that they could not be seen from the earth.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading There was something inspiring in the sight of the vast bulks of the balloons, skimming along through the air like gigantic birds.
past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way
From this reading The motors of the balloons, banging away, sounded like a battle in the air, and the propellers whirled about so swiftly that they could not be seen from the earth.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading They seemed to demonstrate man’s conquest of the upper regions, even as the locomotive, the automobile and motor boats have shown what they can do to annihilate space on the earth and in the water.
in a swift manner
From this reading The motors of the balloons, banging away, sounded like a battle in the air, and the propellers whirled about so swiftly that they could not be seen from the earth.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The motors of the balloons, banging away, sounded like a battle in the air, and the propellers whirled about so swiftly that they could not be seen from the earth.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A RACE IN THE AIR Andy’s excitement was shared not only by the motor boys and their girl friends, but by the vast throng gathered on the carnival grounds.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A RACE IN THE AIR Andy’s excitement was shared not only by the motor boys and their girl friends, but by the vast throng gathered on the carnival grounds.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading As the balloons rose in the air they seemed to become smaller, and then they all headed in the same direction, for, as Andy had said, there was to be a race of the dirigible machines.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was something inspiring in the sight of the vast bulks of the balloons, skimming along through the air like gigantic birds.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They seemed to demonstrate man’s conquest of the upper regions, even as the locomotive, the automobile and motor boats have shown what they can do to annihilate space on the earth and in the water.
throngnounUS /θrɔːŋ/
a large gathering of people
From this reading A RACE IN THE AIR Andy’s excitement was shared not only by the motor boys and their girl friends, but by the vast throng gathered on the carnival grounds.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading There was something inspiring in the sight of the vast bulks of the balloons, skimming along through the air like gigantic birds.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They seemed to demonstrate man’s conquest of the upper regions, even as the locomotive, the automobile and motor boats have shown what they can do to annihilate space on the earth and in the water.
the topmost one of two
From this reading They seemed to demonstrate man’s conquest of the upper regions, even as the locomotive, the automobile and motor boats have shown what they can do to annihilate space on the earth and in the water.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading A RACE IN THE AIR Andy’s excitement was shared not only by the motor boys and their girl friends, but by the vast throng gathered on the carnival grounds.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A RACE IN THE AIR Andy’s excitement was shared not only by the motor boys and their girl friends, but by the vast throng gathered on the carnival grounds.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading They seemed to demonstrate man’s conquest of the upper regions, even as the locomotive, the automobile and motor boats have shown what they can do to annihilate space on the earth and in the water.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading They seemed to demonstrate man’s conquest of the upper regions, even as the locomotive, the automobile and motor boats have shown what they can do to annihilate space on the earth and in the water.
whirledverbUS /wɜːrld/
past form of “whirl” — turn in a twisting or spinning motion
From this reading The motors of the balloons, banging away, sounded like a battle in the air, and the propellers whirled about so swiftly that they could not be seen from the earth.
