used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading To the north of the trappers, approaching, but out of their reach of vision, a singular train was skimming over the snows.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading These were impelled by the wind alone, caught in sails, which would be the tent canvas by night, fastened to masts set in the breadth of the beam like that of an "ice yacht."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading These were impelled by the wind alone, caught in sails, which would be the tent canvas by night, fastened to masts set in the breadth of the beam like that of an "ice yacht."
the event of one object coming closer to another
From this reading To the north of the trappers, approaching, but out of their reach of vision, a singular train was skimming over the snows.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading From a distance one might have supposed it a flight of birds, for no four-footed creatures could have travelled at that surprising pace.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading These were impelled by the wind alone, caught in sails, which would be the tent canvas by night, fastened to masts set in the breadth of the beam like that of an "ice yacht."
beamnounUS /biːm/
a signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides airplane pilots in darkness or bad weather
From this reading These were impelled by the wind alone, caught in sails, which would be the tent canvas by night, fastened to masts set in the breadth of the beam like that of an "ice yacht."
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading From a distance one might have supposed it a flight of birds, for no four-footed creatures could have travelled at that surprising pace.
breadthnounUS /bredθ/
the capacity to understand a broad range of topics
From this reading These were impelled by the wind alone, caught in sails, which would be the tent canvas by night, fastened to masts set in the breadth of the beam like that of an "ice yacht."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading To the north of the trappers, approaching, but out of their reach of vision, a singular train was skimming over the snows.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But it was a procession of _carrioles_, or dog sledges, preceded by two large ones.
canvasnounUS /ˈkænvəs/
a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)
From this reading These were impelled by the wind alone, caught in sails, which would be the tent canvas by night, fastened to masts set in the breadth of the beam like that of an "ice yacht."
carrioles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it was a procession of _carrioles_, or dog sledges, preceded by two large ones.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading These were impelled by the wind alone, caught in sails, which would be the tent canvas by night, fastened to masts set in the breadth of the beam like that of an "ice yacht."
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading From a distance one might have supposed it a flight of birds, for no four-footed creatures could have travelled at that surprising pace.
plural of “creature” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading From a distance one might have supposed it a flight of birds, for no four-footed creatures could have travelled at that surprising pace.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading From a distance one might have supposed it a flight of birds, for no four-footed creatures could have travelled at that surprising pace.
a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading But it was a procession of _carrioles_, or dog sledges, preceded by two large ones.
not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality
From this reading THE FALSE PILOT.
firmly closed or secured
From this reading These were impelled by the wind alone, caught in sails, which would be the tent canvas by night, fastened to masts set in the breadth of the beam like that of an "ice yacht."
a formation of aircraft in flight
From this reading From a distance one might have supposed it a flight of birds, for no four-footed creatures could have travelled at that surprising pace.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading From a distance one might have supposed it a flight of birds, for no four-footed creatures could have travelled at that surprising pace.
four-footedadjective
having four feet
From this reading From a distance one might have supposed it a flight of birds, for no four-footed creatures could have travelled at that surprising pace.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From a distance one might have supposed it a flight of birds, for no four-footed creatures could have travelled at that surprising pace.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading From a distance one might have supposed it a flight of birds, for no four-footed creatures could have travelled at that surprising pace.
water frozen in the solid state
From this reading These were impelled by the wind alone, caught in sails, which would be the tent canvas by night, fastened to masts set in the breadth of the beam like that of an "ice yacht."
impelledadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpeld/
urged or forced to action through moral pressure
From this reading These were impelled by the wind alone, caught in sails, which would be the tent canvas by night, fastened to masts set in the breadth of the beam like that of an "ice yacht."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading These were impelled by the wind alone, caught in sails, which would be the tent canvas by night, fastened to masts set in the breadth of the beam like that of an "ice yacht."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading From a distance one might have supposed it a flight of birds, for no four-footed creatures could have travelled at that surprising pace.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading But it was a procession of _carrioles_, or dog sledges, preceded by two large ones.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading These were impelled by the wind alone, caught in sails, which would be the tent canvas by night, fastened to masts set in the breadth of the beam like that of an "ice yacht."
mastsnounUS /mæsts/
plural of “mast” — a vertical spar for supporting sails
From this reading These were impelled by the wind alone, caught in sails, which would be the tent canvas by night, fastened to masts set in the breadth of the beam like that of an "ice yacht."
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading From a distance one might have supposed it a flight of birds, for no four-footed creatures could have travelled at that surprising pace.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading These were impelled by the wind alone, caught in sails, which would be the tent canvas by night, fastened to masts set in the breadth of the beam like that of an "ice yacht."
not any; not one
From this reading From a distance one might have supposed it a flight of birds, for no four-footed creatures could have travelled at that surprising pace.
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading To the north of the trappers, approaching, but out of their reach of vision, a singular train was skimming over the snows.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading To the north of the trappers, approaching, but out of their reach of vision, a singular train was skimming over the snows.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading From a distance one might have supposed it a flight of birds, for no four-footed creatures could have travelled at that surprising pace.
plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
From this reading But it was a procession of _carrioles_, or dog sledges, preceded by two large ones.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But it was a procession of _carrioles_, or dog sledges, preceded by two large ones.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading To the north of the trappers, approaching, but out of their reach of vision, a singular train was skimming over the snows.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading To the north of the trappers, approaching, but out of their reach of vision, a singular train was skimming over the snows.
the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
From this reading From a distance one might have supposed it a flight of birds, for no four-footed creatures could have travelled at that surprising pace.
PILOTverbUS /ˈpaɪlət/
operate an airplane
From this reading THE FALSE PILOT.
precededverbUS /prɪˈsiːdɪd/
past form of “precede” — be earlier in time; go back further
From this reading But it was a procession of _carrioles_, or dog sledges, preceded by two large ones.
processionnounUS /prəˈseʃən/
(theology) the origination of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost
From this reading But it was a procession of _carrioles_, or dog sledges, preceded by two large ones.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading To the north of the trappers, approaching, but out of their reach of vision, a singular train was skimming over the snows.
sailsnounUS /seɪlz/
plural of “sail” — a large piece of fabric (usually canvas fabric) by means of which wind is used to propel a sailing vessel
From this reading These were impelled by the wind alone, caught in sails, which would be the tent canvas by night, fastened to masts set in the breadth of the beam like that of an "ice yacht."
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading These were impelled by the wind alone, caught in sails, which would be the tent canvas by night, fastened to masts set in the breadth of the beam like that of an "ice yacht."
unusual or striking
From this reading To the north of the trappers, approaching, but out of their reach of vision, a singular train was skimming over the snows.
skimmingnounUS /ˈskɪmɪŋ/
the act of removing floating material from the surface of a liquid
From this reading To the north of the trappers, approaching, but out of their reach of vision, a singular train was skimming over the snows.
sledges
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it was a procession of _carrioles_, or dog sledges, preceded by two large ones.
snowsnounUS /snoʊz/
plural of “snow” — precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading To the north of the trappers, approaching, but out of their reach of vision, a singular train was skimming over the snows.
required or under orders
From this reading From a distance one might have supposed it a flight of birds, for no four-footed creatures could have travelled at that surprising pace.
surprisingadjectiveUS /sərˈpraɪzɪŋ/
causing surprise or wonder or amazement
From this reading From a distance one might have supposed it a flight of birds, for no four-footed creatures could have travelled at that surprising pace.
a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)
From this reading These were impelled by the wind alone, caught in sails, which would be the tent canvas by night, fastened to masts set in the breadth of the beam like that of an "ice yacht."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading From a distance one might have supposed it a flight of birds, for no four-footed creatures could have travelled at that surprising pace.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FALSE PILOT.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading To the north of the trappers, approaching, but out of their reach of vision, a singular train was skimming over the snows.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These were impelled by the wind alone, caught in sails, which would be the tent canvas by night, fastened to masts set in the breadth of the beam like that of an "ice yacht."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To the north of the trappers, approaching, but out of their reach of vision, a singular train was skimming over the snows.
create by training and teaching
From this reading To the north of the trappers, approaching, but out of their reach of vision, a singular train was skimming over the snows.
trappersnounUS /ˈtræpərz/
plural of “trapper” — someone who sets traps for animals (usually to obtain their furs)
From this reading To the north of the trappers, approaching, but out of their reach of vision, a singular train was skimming over the snows.
travelledadjectiveUS /ˈtrævəld/
familiar with many parts of the world
From this reading From a distance one might have supposed it a flight of birds, for no four-footed creatures could have travelled at that surprising pace.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading But it was a procession of _carrioles_, or dog sledges, preceded by two large ones.
a vivid mental image
From this reading To the north of the trappers, approaching, but out of their reach of vision, a singular train was skimming over the snows.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading To the north of the trappers, approaching, but out of their reach of vision, a singular train was skimming over the snows.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading These were impelled by the wind alone, caught in sails, which would be the tent canvas by night, fastened to masts set in the breadth of the beam like that of an "ice yacht."
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading These were impelled by the wind alone, caught in sails, which would be the tent canvas by night, fastened to masts set in the breadth of the beam like that of an "ice yacht."
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading These were impelled by the wind alone, caught in sails, which would be the tent canvas by night, fastened to masts set in the breadth of the beam like that of an "ice yacht."
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading These were impelled by the wind alone, caught in sails, which would be the tent canvas by night, fastened to masts set in the breadth of the beam like that of an "ice yacht."
yachtnounUS /jɑːt/
an expensive vessel propelled by sail or power and used for cruising or racing
From this reading These were impelled by the wind alone, caught in sails, which would be the tent canvas by night, fastened to masts set in the breadth of the beam like that of an "ice yacht."
