used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But it needed only a look at his face to tell that he was laboring under great excitement.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE FLASHLIGHT For an instant the moving picture boys could hardly grasp the meaning of the fateful words spoken by Captain Wiltsey.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading “No, I don’t take any stock in their earthquake theories,” the captain answered.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading “No, I don’t take any stock in their earthquake theories,” the captain answered.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading “Then we’d better get--” “Do you mean by an earthquake?” asked Blake, breaking in on his chum’s words.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But it needed only a look at his face to tell that he was laboring under great excitement.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “The Gatun Dam to be destroyed,” repeated Joe.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading “Then we’d better get--” “Do you mean by an earthquake?” asked Blake, breaking in on his chum’s words.
BlakenounUS /bleɪk/
visionary British poet and painter (1757-1827)
From this reading “Then we’d better get--” “Do you mean by an earthquake?” asked Blake, breaking in on his chum’s words.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading THE FLASHLIGHT For an instant the moving picture boys could hardly grasp the meaning of the fateful words spoken by Captain Wiltsey.
the act of breaking something
From this reading “Then we’d better get--” “Do you mean by an earthquake?” asked Blake, breaking in on his chum’s words.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But it needed only a look at his face to tell that he was laboring under great excitement.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE FLASHLIGHT For an instant the moving picture boys could hardly grasp the meaning of the fateful words spoken by Captain Wiltsey.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading THE FLASHLIGHT For an instant the moving picture boys could hardly grasp the meaning of the fateful words spoken by Captain Wiltsey.
chum's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Then we’d better get--” “Do you mean by an earthquake?” asked Blake, breaking in on his chum’s words.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading THE FLASHLIGHT For an instant the moving picture boys could hardly grasp the meaning of the fateful words spoken by Captain Wiltsey.
DamnounUS /dæm/
a barrier constructed to contain the flow of water or to keep out the sea
From this reading “The Gatun Dam to be destroyed,” repeated Joe.
spoiled or ruined or demolished
From this reading “The Gatun Dam to be destroyed,” repeated Joe.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading “Then we’d better get--” “Do you mean by an earthquake?” asked Blake, breaking in on his chum’s words.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “No, I don’t take any stock in their earthquake theories,” the captain answered.
earthquakenounUS /ˈɜːrθkweɪk/
shaking and vibration at the surface of the earth resulting from underground movement along a fault plane or from volcanic activity
From this reading “Then we’d better get--” “Do you mean by an earthquake?” asked Blake, breaking in on his chum’s words.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading But it needed only a look at his face to tell that he was laboring under great excitement.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading But it needed only a look at his face to tell that he was laboring under great excitement.
fatefuladjectiveUS /ˈfeɪtfəl/
having momentous consequences; of decisive importance
From this reading THE FLASHLIGHT For an instant the moving picture boys could hardly grasp the meaning of the fateful words spoken by Captain Wiltsey.
FLASHLIGHTnounUS /ˈflæʃlaɪt/
a small portable battery-powered electric lamp
From this reading THE FLASHLIGHT For an instant the moving picture boys could hardly grasp the meaning of the fateful words spoken by Captain Wiltsey.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE FLASHLIGHT For an instant the moving picture boys could hardly grasp the meaning of the fateful words spoken by Captain Wiltsey.
Gatun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “The Gatun Dam to be destroyed,” repeated Joe.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading “Then we’d better get--” “Do you mean by an earthquake?” asked Blake, breaking in on his chum’s words.
hold firmly
From this reading THE FLASHLIGHT For an instant the moving picture boys could hardly grasp the meaning of the fateful words spoken by Captain Wiltsey.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading But it needed only a look at his face to tell that he was laboring under great excitement.
only a very short time before
From this reading THE FLASHLIGHT For an instant the moving picture boys could hardly grasp the meaning of the fateful words spoken by Captain Wiltsey.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But it needed only a look at his face to tell that he was laboring under great excitement.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But it needed only a look at his face to tell that he was laboring under great excitement.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “No, I don’t take any stock in their earthquake theories,” the captain answered.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “Then we’d better get--” “Do you mean by an earthquake?” asked Blake, breaking in on his chum’s words.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading THE FLASHLIGHT For an instant the moving picture boys could hardly grasp the meaning of the fateful words spoken by Captain Wiltsey.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But it needed only a look at his face to tell that he was laboring under great excitement.
Joe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “The Gatun Dam to be destroyed,” repeated Joe.
laboringadjectiveUS /ˈleɪbərɪŋ/
doing arduous or unpleasant work
From this reading But it needed only a look at his face to tell that he was laboring under great excitement.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading But it needed only a look at his face to tell that he was laboring under great excitement.
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading “Then we’d better get--” “Do you mean by an earthquake?” asked Blake, breaking in on his chum’s words.
the message that is intended or expressed or signified
From this reading THE FLASHLIGHT For an instant the moving picture boys could hardly grasp the meaning of the fateful words spoken by Captain Wiltsey.
in motion
From this reading THE FLASHLIGHT For an instant the moving picture boys could hardly grasp the meaning of the fateful words spoken by Captain Wiltsey.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading But it needed only a look at his face to tell that he was laboring under great excitement.
not any; not one
From this reading “No, I don’t take any stock in their earthquake theories,” the captain answered.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE FLASHLIGHT For an instant the moving picture boys could hardly grasp the meaning of the fateful words spoken by Captain Wiltsey.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “Then we’d better get--” “Do you mean by an earthquake?” asked Blake, breaking in on his chum’s words.
and nothing more
From this reading But it needed only a look at his face to tell that he was laboring under great excitement.
a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading THE FLASHLIGHT For an instant the moving picture boys could hardly grasp the meaning of the fateful words spoken by Captain Wiltsey.
recurring again and again
From this reading “The Gatun Dam to be destroyed,” repeated Joe.
uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination
From this reading THE FLASHLIGHT For an instant the moving picture boys could hardly grasp the meaning of the fateful words spoken by Captain Wiltsey.
the capital raised by a corporation through the issue of shares entitling holders to an ownership interest
From this reading “No, I don’t take any stock in their earthquake theories,” the captain answered.
carry out
From this reading “No, I don’t take any stock in their earthquake theories,” the captain answered.
express in words
From this reading But it needed only a look at his face to tell that he was laboring under great excitement.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But it needed only a look at his face to tell that he was laboring under great excitement.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FLASHLIGHT For an instant the moving picture boys could hardly grasp the meaning of the fateful words spoken by Captain Wiltsey.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading “No, I don’t take any stock in their earthquake theories,” the captain answered.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading “Then we’d better get--” “Do you mean by an earthquake?” asked Blake, breaking in on his chum’s words.
theoriesnounUS /ˈθɪriz/
plural of “theory” — a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena
From this reading “No, I don’t take any stock in their earthquake theories,” the captain answered.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But it needed only a look at his face to tell that he was laboring under great excitement.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading But it needed only a look at his face to tell that he was laboring under great excitement.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But it needed only a look at his face to tell that he was laboring under great excitement.
we'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Then we’d better get--” “Do you mean by an earthquake?” asked Blake, breaking in on his chum’s words.
Wiltsey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FLASHLIGHT For an instant the moving picture boys could hardly grasp the meaning of the fateful words spoken by Captain Wiltsey.
the words that are spoken
From this reading THE FLASHLIGHT For an instant the moving picture boys could hardly grasp the meaning of the fateful words spoken by Captain Wiltsey.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Then we’d better get--” “Do you mean by an earthquake?” asked Blake, breaking in on his chum’s words.
