used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading CONRAD FLASHES A GUN A whistle sounded down the line, a short nervous blast twice repeated.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An instant shrieking of handbrakes, and the rumbling train of loaded flat-cars slowed down toward the trestle.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading An instant shrieking of handbrakes, and the rumbling train of loaded flat-cars slowed down toward the trestle.
for the reason that
From this reading The trains that crossed carrying supplies to construction further west were comparatively light, because of just such tender spots on the line; and they never stopped until they reached the other side.
blastverbUS /blæst/
make a strident sound
From this reading CONRAD FLASHES A GUN A whistle sounded down the line, a short nervous blast twice repeated.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He was hoping that by some slip of the levers up in Murphy's cab the rock-laden cars would glide out over the trestle and give it a real test.
cabnounUS /kæb/
a compartment at the front of a motor vehicle or locomotive where driver sits
From this reading He was hoping that by some slip of the levers up in Murphy's cab the rock-laden cars would glide out over the trestle and give it a real test.
-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading The trains that crossed carrying supplies to construction further west were comparatively light, because of just such tender spots on the line; and they never stopped until they reached the other side.
carsnounUS /kɑːrz/
plural of “car” — a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading He was hoping that by some slip of the levers up in Murphy's cab the rock-laden cars would glide out over the trestle and give it a real test.
comparativelyadverbUS /kəmˈperətɪvli/
in a relative manner; by comparison to something else
From this reading The trains that crossed carrying supplies to construction further west were comparatively light, because of just such tender spots on the line; and they never stopped until they reached the other side.
CONRADnounUS /ˈkɑːnræd/
English novelist (born in Poland) noted for sea stories and for his narrative technique (1857-1924)
From this reading CONRAD FLASHES A GUN A whistle sounded down the line, a short nervous blast twice repeated.
constructionnounUS /kənˈstrʌkʃən/
the act of constructing something
From this reading The trains that crossed carrying supplies to construction further west were comparatively light, because of just such tender spots on the line; and they never stopped until they reached the other side.
placed crosswise
From this reading The trains that crossed carrying supplies to construction further west were comparatively light, because of just such tender spots on the line; and they never stopped until they reached the other side.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading CONRAD FLASHES A GUN A whistle sounded down the line, a short nervous blast twice repeated.
FLASHESnounUS /ˈflæʃɪz/
plural of “flash” — a sudden intense burst of radiant energy
From this reading CONRAD FLASHES A GUN A whistle sounded down the line, a short nervous blast twice repeated.
flat-cars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An instant shrieking of handbrakes, and the rumbling train of loaded flat-cars slowed down toward the trestle.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Torrance lumbered up from the supper table to watch.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading The trains that crossed carrying supplies to construction further west were comparatively light, because of just such tender spots on the line; and they never stopped until they reached the other side.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading He was hoping that by some slip of the levers up in Murphy's cab the rock-laden cars would glide out over the trestle and give it a real test.
glideverbUS /ɡlaɪd/
move smoothly and effortlessly
From this reading He was hoping that by some slip of the levers up in Murphy's cab the rock-laden cars would glide out over the trestle and give it a real test.
a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading CONRAD FLASHES A GUN A whistle sounded down the line, a short nervous blast twice repeated.
handbrakes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An instant shrieking of handbrakes, and the rumbling train of loaded flat-cars slowed down toward the trestle.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was hoping that by some slip of the levers up in Murphy's cab the rock-laden cars would glide out over the trestle and give it a real test.
hopingverbUS /ˈhoʊpɪŋ/
-ing form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading He was hoping that by some slip of the levers up in Murphy's cab the rock-laden cars would glide out over the trestle and give it a real test.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was hoping that by some slip of the levers up in Murphy's cab the rock-laden cars would glide out over the trestle and give it a real test.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading An instant shrieking of handbrakes, and the rumbling train of loaded flat-cars slowed down toward the trestle.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He was hoping that by some slip of the levers up in Murphy's cab the rock-laden cars would glide out over the trestle and give it a real test.
and nothing more
From this reading The trains that crossed carrying supplies to construction further west were comparatively light, because of just such tender spots on the line; and they never stopped until they reached the other side.
leversnounUS /ˈlevərz/
plural of “lever” — a rigid bar pivoted about a fulcrum
From this reading He was hoping that by some slip of the levers up in Murphy's cab the rock-laden cars would glide out over the trestle and give it a real test.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The trains that crossed carrying supplies to construction further west were comparatively light, because of just such tender spots on the line; and they never stopped until they reached the other side.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading CONRAD FLASHES A GUN A whistle sounded down the line, a short nervous blast twice repeated.
loadedadjectiveUS /ˈloʊdɪd/
filled with a great quantity
From this reading An instant shrieking of handbrakes, and the rumbling train of loaded flat-cars slowed down toward the trestle.
lumbered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Torrance lumbered up from the supper table to watch.
Murphy'snounUS /ˈmɜːrfiz/
possessive form of “murphy” — an edible tuber native to South America; a staple food of Ireland
From this reading He was hoping that by some slip of the levers up in Murphy's cab the rock-laden cars would glide out over the trestle and give it a real test.
easily agitated
From this reading CONRAD FLASHES A GUN A whistle sounded down the line, a short nervous blast twice repeated.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading The trains that crossed carrying supplies to construction further west were comparatively light, because of just such tender spots on the line; and they never stopped until they reached the other side.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading An instant shrieking of handbrakes, and the rumbling train of loaded flat-cars slowed down toward the trestle.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The trains that crossed carrying supplies to construction further west were comparatively light, because of just such tender spots on the line; and they never stopped until they reached the other side.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The trains that crossed carrying supplies to construction further west were comparatively light, because of just such tender spots on the line; and they never stopped until they reached the other side.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He was hoping that by some slip of the levers up in Murphy's cab the rock-laden cars would glide out over the trestle and give it a real test.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He was hoping that by some slip of the levers up in Murphy's cab the rock-laden cars would glide out over the trestle and give it a real test.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading The trains that crossed carrying supplies to construction further west were comparatively light, because of just such tender spots on the line; and they never stopped until they reached the other side.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading He was hoping that by some slip of the levers up in Murphy's cab the rock-laden cars would glide out over the trestle and give it a real test.
recurring again and again
From this reading CONRAD FLASHES A GUN A whistle sounded down the line, a short nervous blast twice repeated.
rock-laden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was hoping that by some slip of the levers up in Murphy's cab the rock-laden cars would glide out over the trestle and give it a real test.
rumblingnounUS /ˈrʌmbəlɪŋ/
a loud low dull continuous noise
From this reading An instant shrieking of handbrakes, and the rumbling train of loaded flat-cars slowed down toward the trestle.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading CONRAD FLASHES A GUN A whistle sounded down the line, a short nervous blast twice repeated.
shriekingnounUS /ˈʃriːkɪŋ/
sharp piercing cry
From this reading An instant shrieking of handbrakes, and the rumbling train of loaded flat-cars slowed down toward the trestle.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading The trains that crossed carrying supplies to construction further west were comparatively light, because of just such tender spots on the line; and they never stopped until they reached the other side.
move stealthily
From this reading He was hoping that by some slip of the levers up in Murphy's cab the rock-laden cars would glide out over the trestle and give it a real test.
slowedverbUS /sloʊd/
past form of “slow” — lose velocity; move more slowly
From this reading An instant shrieking of handbrakes, and the rumbling train of loaded flat-cars slowed down toward the trestle.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading He was hoping that by some slip of the levers up in Murphy's cab the rock-laden cars would glide out over the trestle and give it a real test.
past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way
From this reading CONRAD FLASHES A GUN A whistle sounded down the line, a short nervous blast twice repeated.
spotsnounUS /spɑːts/
spots before the eyes caused by opaque cell fragments in the vitreous humor and lens
From this reading The trains that crossed carrying supplies to construction further west were comparatively light, because of just such tender spots on the line; and they never stopped until they reached the other side.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading The trains that crossed carrying supplies to construction further west were comparatively light, because of just such tender spots on the line; and they never stopped until they reached the other side.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The trains that crossed carrying supplies to construction further west were comparatively light, because of just such tender spots on the line; and they never stopped until they reached the other side.
a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime
From this reading Torrance lumbered up from the supper table to watch.
suppliesnounUS /səˈplaɪz/
plural of “supply” — an amount of something available for use
From this reading The trains that crossed carrying supplies to construction further west were comparatively light, because of just such tender spots on the line; and they never stopped until they reached the other side.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading Torrance lumbered up from the supper table to watch.
given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality
From this reading The trains that crossed carrying supplies to construction further west were comparatively light, because of just such tender spots on the line; and they never stopped until they reached the other side.
testnounUS /test/
trying something to find out about it
From this reading He was hoping that by some slip of the levers up in Murphy's cab the rock-laden cars would glide out over the trestle and give it a real test.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was hoping that by some slip of the levers up in Murphy's cab the rock-laden cars would glide out over the trestle and give it a real test.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading CONRAD FLASHES A GUN A whistle sounded down the line, a short nervous blast twice repeated.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The trains that crossed carrying supplies to construction further west were comparatively light, because of just such tender spots on the line; and they never stopped until they reached the other side.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Torrance lumbered up from the supper table to watch.
Torrance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Torrance lumbered up from the supper table to watch.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading An instant shrieking of handbrakes, and the rumbling train of loaded flat-cars slowed down toward the trestle.
create by training and teaching
From this reading An instant shrieking of handbrakes, and the rumbling train of loaded flat-cars slowed down toward the trestle.
trainsnounUS /treɪnz/
plural of “train” — public transport provided by a line of railway cars coupled together and drawn by a locomotive
From this reading The trains that crossed carrying supplies to construction further west were comparatively light, because of just such tender spots on the line; and they never stopped until they reached the other side.
trestlenounUS /ˈtresəl/
a supporting tower used to support a bridge
From this reading An instant shrieking of handbrakes, and the rumbling train of loaded flat-cars slowed down toward the trestle.
two times
From this reading CONRAD FLASHES A GUN A whistle sounded down the line, a short nervous blast twice repeated.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The trains that crossed carrying supplies to construction further west were comparatively light, because of just such tender spots on the line; and they never stopped until they reached the other side.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Torrance lumbered up from the supper table to watch.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was hoping that by some slip of the levers up in Murphy's cab the rock-laden cars would glide out over the trestle and give it a real test.
look attentively
From this reading Torrance lumbered up from the supper table to watch.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The trains that crossed carrying supplies to construction further west were comparatively light, because of just such tender spots on the line; and they never stopped until they reached the other side.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading The trains that crossed carrying supplies to construction further west were comparatively light, because of just such tender spots on the line; and they never stopped until they reached the other side.
whistleverbUS /ˈwɪsəl/
make whistling sounds
From this reading CONRAD FLASHES A GUN A whistle sounded down the line, a short nervous blast twice repeated.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He was hoping that by some slip of the levers up in Murphy's cab the rock-laden cars would glide out over the trestle and give it a real test.
