used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading HEMMED IN The boys found a group of worried trainmen gathered about the engine, and it needed but a glance to show what the trouble was.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading HEMMED IN The boys found a group of worried trainmen gathered about the engine, and it needed but a glance to show what the trouble was.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading “It sure is a bad break,” said the fireman as he got down from the cab, after opening the door of the fire box, so that the engine would cool down.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading HEMMED IN The boys found a group of worried trainmen gathered about the engine, and it needed but a glance to show what the trouble was.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “It sure is a bad break,” said the fireman as he got down from the cab, after opening the door of the fire box, so that the engine would cool down.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The piston rod had broken while the ponderous engine was going at full speed, and the driving rods, which had broken off from where they were fastened to the wheels, had been driven deep into the ground.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading “It sure is a bad break,” said the fireman as he got down from the cab, after opening the door of the fire box, so that the engine would cool down.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The piston rod had broken while the ponderous engine was going at full speed, and the driving rods, which had broken off from where they were fastened to the wheels, had been driven deep into the ground.
a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading “It sure is a bad break,” said the fireman as he got down from the cab, after opening the door of the fire box, so that the engine would cool down.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading HEMMED IN The boys found a group of worried trainmen gathered about the engine, and it needed but a glance to show what the trouble was.
terminate
From this reading “It sure is a bad break,” said the fireman as he got down from the cab, after opening the door of the fire box, so that the engine would cool down.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading The piston rod had broken while the ponderous engine was going at full speed, and the driving rods, which had broken off from where they were fastened to the wheels, had been driven deep into the ground.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading HEMMED IN The boys found a group of worried trainmen gathered about the engine, and it needed but a glance to show what the trouble was.
cabnounUS /kæb/
a compartment at the front of a motor vehicle or locomotive where driver sits
From this reading The piston rod, threshing about with nothing to hold it, had broken several parts of the engine, and some pieces of the driving rods had been hurled up into the cab, narrowly missing the engineer.
carsnounUS /kɑːrz/
plural of “car” — a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading This had served to fairly lift the engine from the rails, and, in its mad journey it had pulled several cars with it.
neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat
From this reading “It sure is a bad break,” said the fireman as he got down from the cab, after opening the door of the fire box, so that the engine would cool down.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading The piston rod had broken while the ponderous engine was going at full speed, and the driving rods, which had broken off from where they were fastened to the wheels, had been driven deep into the ground.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading “It sure is a bad break,” said the fireman as he got down from the cab, after opening the door of the fire box, so that the engine would cool down.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading “It sure is a bad break,” said the fireman as he got down from the cab, after opening the door of the fire box, so that the engine would cool down.
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading The piston rod had broken while the ponderous engine was going at full speed, and the driving rods, which had broken off from where they were fastened to the wheels, had been driven deep into the ground.
having the power of driving or impelling
From this reading The piston rod had broken while the ponderous engine was going at full speed, and the driving rods, which had broken off from where they were fastened to the wheels, had been driven deep into the ground.
enginenounUS /ˈendʒən/
motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work
From this reading HEMMED IN The boys found a group of worried trainmen gathered about the engine, and it needed but a glance to show what the trouble was.
engineernounUS /ˈendʒəˈnɪr/
a person who uses scientific knowledge to solve practical problems
From this reading The piston rod, threshing about with nothing to hold it, had broken several parts of the engine, and some pieces of the driving rods had been hurled up into the cab, narrowly missing the engineer.
to certain extent or degree
From this reading This had served to fairly lift the engine from the rails, and, in its mad journey it had pulled several cars with it.
firmly closed or secured
From this reading The piston rod had broken while the ponderous engine was going at full speed, and the driving rods, which had broken off from where they were fastened to the wheels, had been driven deep into the ground.
start firing a weapon
From this reading “It sure is a bad break,” said the fireman as he got down from the cab, after opening the door of the fire box, so that the engine would cool down.
firemannounUS /ˈfaɪrmən/
play in which children pretend to put out a fire
From this reading “It sure is a bad break,” said the fireman as he got down from the cab, after opening the door of the fire box, so that the engine would cool down.
set up or found
From this reading HEMMED IN The boys found a group of worried trainmen gathered about the engine, and it needed but a glance to show what the trouble was.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The piston rod had broken while the ponderous engine was going at full speed, and the driving rods, which had broken off from where they were fastened to the wheels, had been driven deep into the ground.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading The piston rod had broken while the ponderous engine was going at full speed, and the driving rods, which had broken off from where they were fastened to the wheels, had been driven deep into the ground.
brought together in one place
From this reading HEMMED IN The boys found a group of worried trainmen gathered about the engine, and it needed but a glance to show what the trouble was.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading HEMMED IN The boys found a group of worried trainmen gathered about the engine, and it needed but a glance to show what the trouble was.
the act of departing
From this reading The piston rod had broken while the ponderous engine was going at full speed, and the driving rods, which had broken off from where they were fastened to the wheels, had been driven deep into the ground.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading “It sure is a bad break,” said the fireman as he got down from the cab, after opening the door of the fire box, so that the engine would cool down.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading The piston rod had broken while the ponderous engine was going at full speed, and the driving rods, which had broken off from where they were fastened to the wheels, had been driven deep into the ground.
any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading HEMMED IN The boys found a group of worried trainmen gathered about the engine, and it needed but a glance to show what the trouble was.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The piston rod had broken while the ponderous engine was going at full speed, and the driving rods, which had broken off from where they were fastened to the wheels, had been driven deep into the ground.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “It sure is a bad break,” said the fireman as he got down from the cab, after opening the door of the fire box, so that the engine would cool down.
HEMMEDverbUS /hemd/
inflected form of “hem” — fold over and sew together to provide with a hem
From this reading HEMMED IN The boys found a group of worried trainmen gathered about the engine, and it needed but a glance to show what the trouble was.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading The piston rod, threshing about with nothing to hold it, had broken several parts of the engine, and some pieces of the driving rods had been hurled up into the cab, narrowly missing the engineer.
hurledverbUS /hɜːrld/
past form of “hurl” — throw forcefully
From this reading The piston rod, threshing about with nothing to hold it, had broken several parts of the engine, and some pieces of the driving rods had been hurled up into the cab, narrowly missing the engineer.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading HEMMED IN The boys found a group of worried trainmen gathered about the engine, and it needed but a glance to show what the trouble was.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The piston rod had broken while the ponderous engine was going at full speed, and the driving rods, which had broken off from where they were fastened to the wheels, had been driven deep into the ground.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “It sure is a bad break,” said the fireman as he got down from the cab, after opening the door of the fire box, so that the engine would cool down.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading HEMMED IN The boys found a group of worried trainmen gathered about the engine, and it needed but a glance to show what the trouble was.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading This had served to fairly lift the engine from the rails, and, in its mad journey it had pulled several cars with it.
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading This had served to fairly lift the engine from the rails, and, in its mad journey it had pulled several cars with it.
raise from a lower to a higher position
From this reading This had served to fairly lift the engine from the rails, and, in its mad journey it had pulled several cars with it.
roused to anger
From this reading This had served to fairly lift the engine from the rails, and, in its mad journey it had pulled several cars with it.
missingadjectiveUS /ˈmɪsɪŋ/
not able to be found
From this reading The piston rod, threshing about with nothing to hold it, had broken several parts of the engine, and some pieces of the driving rods had been hurled up into the cab, narrowly missing the engineer.
narrowlyadverbUS /ˈneroʊli/
in a narrow manner; not allowing for exceptions
From this reading The piston rod, threshing about with nothing to hold it, had broken several parts of the engine, and some pieces of the driving rods had been hurled up into the cab, narrowly missing the engineer.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading HEMMED IN The boys found a group of worried trainmen gathered about the engine, and it needed but a glance to show what the trouble was.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading The piston rod, threshing about with nothing to hold it, had broken several parts of the engine, and some pieces of the driving rods had been hurled up into the cab, narrowly missing the engineer.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading HEMMED IN The boys found a group of worried trainmen gathered about the engine, and it needed but a glance to show what the trouble was.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The piston rod had broken while the ponderous engine was going at full speed, and the driving rods, which had broken off from where they were fastened to the wheels, had been driven deep into the ground.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading “It sure is a bad break,” said the fireman as he got down from the cab, after opening the door of the fire box, so that the engine would cool down.
the local environment
From this reading The piston rod, threshing about with nothing to hold it, had broken several parts of the engine, and some pieces of the driving rods had been hurled up into the cab, narrowly missing the engineer.
plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole
From this reading The piston rod, threshing about with nothing to hold it, had broken several parts of the engine, and some pieces of the driving rods had been hurled up into the cab, narrowly missing the engineer.
pistonnounUS /ˈpɪstən/
United States neoclassical composer (1894-1976)
From this reading The piston rod had broken while the ponderous engine was going at full speed, and the driving rods, which had broken off from where they were fastened to the wheels, had been driven deep into the ground.
ponderousadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːndərəs/
slow and laborious because of weight
From this reading The piston rod had broken while the ponderous engine was going at full speed, and the driving rods, which had broken off from where they were fastened to the wheels, had been driven deep into the ground.
past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling
From this reading This had served to fairly lift the engine from the rails, and, in its mad journey it had pulled several cars with it.
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 This had served to fairly lift the engine from the rails, and, in its mad journey it had pulled several cars with it.
rodnounUS /rɑːd/
a long thin implement made of metal or wood
From this reading The piston rod had broken while the ponderous engine was going at full speed, and the driving rods, which had broken off from where they were fastened to the wheels, had been driven deep into the ground.
rodsnounUS /rɑːdz/
plural of “rod” — a long thin implement made of metal or wood
From this reading The piston rod had broken while the ponderous engine was going at full speed, and the driving rods, which had broken off from where they were fastened to the wheels, had been driven deep into the ground.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “It sure is a bad break,” said the fireman as he got down from the cab, after opening the door of the fire box, so that the engine would cool down.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading This had served to fairly lift the engine from the rails, and, in its mad journey it had pulled several cars with it.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading This had served to fairly lift the engine from the rails, and, in its mad journey it had pulled several cars with it.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading HEMMED IN The boys found a group of worried trainmen gathered about the engine, and it needed but a glance to show what the trouble was.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading “It sure is a bad break,” said the fireman as he got down from the cab, after opening the door of the fire box, so that the engine would cool down.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The piston rod, threshing about with nothing to hold it, had broken several parts of the engine, and some pieces of the driving rods had been hurled up into the cab, narrowly missing the engineer.
move hurridly
From this reading The piston rod had broken while the ponderous engine was going at full speed, and the driving rods, which had broken off from where they were fastened to the wheels, had been driven deep into the ground.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading “It sure is a bad break,” said the fireman as he got down from the cab, after opening the door of the fire box, so that the engine would cool down.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “It sure is a bad break,” said the fireman as he got down from the cab, after opening the door of the fire box, so that the engine would cool down.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HEMMED IN The boys found a group of worried trainmen gathered about the engine, and it needed but a glance to show what the trouble was.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The piston rod had broken while the ponderous engine was going at full speed, and the driving rods, which had broken off from where they were fastened to the wheels, had been driven deep into the ground.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This had served to fairly lift the engine from the rails, and, in its mad journey it had pulled several cars with it.
threshingnoun
the separation of grain or seeds from the husks and straw
From this reading The piston rod, threshing about with nothing to hold it, had broken several parts of the engine, and some pieces of the driving rods had been hurled up into the cab, narrowly missing the engineer.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading HEMMED IN The boys found a group of worried trainmen gathered about the engine, and it needed but a glance to show what the trouble was.
trainmennounUS /ˈtreɪnmən/
plural of “trainman” — an employee of a railroad
From this reading HEMMED IN The boys found a group of worried trainmen gathered about the engine, and it needed but a glance to show what the trouble was.
a source of difficulty
From this reading HEMMED IN The boys found a group of worried trainmen gathered about the engine, and it needed but a glance to show what the trouble was.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The piston rod, threshing about with nothing to hold it, had broken several parts of the engine, and some pieces of the driving rods had been hurled up into the cab, narrowly missing the engineer.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading HEMMED IN The boys found a group of worried trainmen gathered about the engine, and it needed but a glance to show what the trouble was.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The piston rod had broken while the ponderous engine was going at full speed, and the driving rods, which had broken off from where they were fastened to the wheels, had been driven deep into the ground.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading HEMMED IN The boys found a group of worried trainmen gathered about the engine, and it needed but a glance to show what the trouble was.
wheelsnounUS /wiːlz/
plural of “wheel” — a simple machine consisting of a circular frame with spokes (or a solid disc) that can rotate on a shaft or axle (as in vehicles or other machines)
From this reading The piston rod had broken while the ponderous engine was going at full speed, and the driving rods, which had broken off from where they were fastened to the wheels, had been driven deep into the ground.
in or at the place that
From this reading The piston rod had broken while the ponderous engine was going at full speed, and the driving rods, which had broken off from where they were fastened to the wheels, had been driven deep into the ground.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The piston rod had broken while the ponderous engine was going at full speed, and the driving rods, which had broken off from where they were fastened to the wheels, had been driven deep into the ground.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The piston rod had broken while the ponderous engine was going at full speed, and the driving rods, which had broken off from where they were fastened to the wheels, had been driven deep into the ground.
in the company of; together with
From this reading This had served to fairly lift the engine from the rails, and, in its mad journey it had pulled several cars with it.
worriedadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːrid/
afflicted with or marked by anxious uneasiness or trouble or grief
From this reading HEMMED IN The boys found a group of worried trainmen gathered about the engine, and it needed but a glance to show what the trouble was.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading “It sure is a bad break,” said the fireman as he got down from the cab, after opening the door of the fire box, so that the engine would cool down.
