used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A VISITOR FROM THE SKIES “A balloon—yes, that’s what it must be, Bob!” exclaimed the prairie boy, who had doubtless never before set eyes on such an object as now dawned upon his startled vision.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading “Sure it is, Frank; I’ve seen ’em lots of times at the country fairs in Kentucky,” Bob went on, almost breathlessly, as he reached the side of his chum.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading The two stood watching with wide eyes the approach of the bulky, unwieldly object, that nearly dragged along the ground at times, since it was in a partly collapsed state.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A VISITOR FROM THE SKIES “A balloon—yes, that’s what it must be, Bob!” exclaimed the prairie boy, who had doubtless never before set eyes on such an object as now dawned upon his startled vision.
move towards
From this reading The two stood watching with wide eyes the approach of the bulky, unwieldly object, that nearly dragged along the ground at times, since it was in a partly collapsed state.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading “He seems to be waving his arms at us, Bob!” declared Frank, whose eyes were nearly as keen as those of a hawk.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A VISITOR FROM THE SKIES “A balloon—yes, that’s what it must be, Bob!” exclaimed the prairie boy, who had doubtless never before set eyes on such an object as now dawned upon his startled vision.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “Sure it is, Frank; I’ve seen ’em lots of times at the country fairs in Kentucky,” Bob went on, almost breathlessly, as he reached the side of his chum.
balloonnounUS /bəˈluːn/
large tough nonrigid bag filled with gas or heated air
From this reading A VISITOR FROM THE SKIES “A balloon—yes, that’s what it must be, Bob!” exclaimed the prairie boy, who had doubtless never before set eyes on such an object as now dawned upon his startled vision.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading A VISITOR FROM THE SKIES “A balloon—yes, that’s what it must be, Bob!” exclaimed the prairie boy, who had doubtless never before set eyes on such an object as now dawned upon his startled vision.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading A VISITOR FROM THE SKIES “A balloon—yes, that’s what it must be, Bob!” exclaimed the prairie boy, who had doubtless never before set eyes on such an object as now dawned upon his startled vision.
move up and down repeatedly
From this reading A VISITOR FROM THE SKIES “A balloon—yes, that’s what it must be, Bob!” exclaimed the prairie boy, who had doubtless never before set eyes on such an object as now dawned upon his startled vision.
a youthful male person
From this reading A VISITOR FROM THE SKIES “A balloon—yes, that’s what it must be, Bob!” exclaimed the prairie boy, who had doubtless never before set eyes on such an object as now dawned upon his startled vision.
breathlesslyadverbUS /ˈbreθləsli/
in a breathless manner
From this reading “Sure it is, Frank; I’ve seen ’em lots of times at the country fairs in Kentucky,” Bob went on, almost breathlessly, as he reached the side of his chum.
bulkyadjectiveUS /ˈbʌlki/
of large size for its weight
From this reading The two stood watching with wide eyes the approach of the bulky, unwieldly object, that nearly dragged along the ground at times, since it was in a partly collapsed state.
chumnounUS /tʃʌm/
a close friend who accompanies his buddies in their activities
From this reading “Sure it is, Frank; I’ve seen ’em lots of times at the country fairs in Kentucky,” Bob went on, almost breathlessly, as he reached the side of his chum.
collapsedverbUS /kəˈlæpst/
past form of “collapse” — break down, literally or metaphorically
From this reading The two stood watching with wide eyes the approach of the bulky, unwieldly object, that nearly dragged along the ground at times, since it was in a partly collapsed state.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading “Sure it is, Frank; I’ve seen ’em lots of times at the country fairs in Kentucky,” Bob went on, almost breathlessly, as he reached the side of his chum.
dawnedverbUS /dɔːnd/
past form of “dawn” — become clear or enter one's consciousness or emotions
From this reading A VISITOR FROM THE SKIES “A balloon—yes, that’s what it must be, Bob!” exclaimed the prairie boy, who had doubtless never before set eyes on such an object as now dawned upon his startled vision.
made known or openly avowed
From this reading “He seems to be waving his arms at us, Bob!” declared Frank, whose eyes were nearly as keen as those of a hawk.
without doubt; certainly
From this reading A VISITOR FROM THE SKIES “A balloon—yes, that’s what it must be, Bob!” exclaimed the prairie boy, who had doubtless never before set eyes on such an object as now dawned upon his startled vision.
inflected form of “drag” — pull, as against a resistance
From this reading The two stood watching with wide eyes the approach of the bulky, unwieldly object, that nearly dragged along the ground at times, since it was in a partly collapsed state.
a quad with a square body
From this reading “Sure it is, Frank; I’ve seen ’em lots of times at the country fairs in Kentucky,” Bob went on, almost breathlessly, as he reached the side of his chum.
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading A VISITOR FROM THE SKIES “A balloon—yes, that’s what it must be, Bob!” exclaimed the prairie boy, who had doubtless never before set eyes on such an object as now dawned upon his startled vision.
opinion or judgment
From this reading A VISITOR FROM THE SKIES “A balloon—yes, that’s what it must be, Bob!” exclaimed the prairie boy, who had doubtless never before set eyes on such an object as now dawned upon his startled vision.
fairsnounUS /ferz/
plural of “fair” — a traveling show; having sideshows and rides and games of skill etc.
From this reading “Sure it is, Frank; I’ve seen ’em lots of times at the country fairs in Kentucky,” Bob went on, almost breathlessly, as he reached the side of his chum.
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading “Sure it is, Frank; I’ve seen ’em lots of times at the country fairs in Kentucky,” Bob went on, almost breathlessly, as he reached the side of his chum.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A VISITOR FROM THE SKIES “A balloon—yes, that’s what it must be, Bob!” exclaimed the prairie boy, who had doubtless never before set eyes on such an object as now dawned upon his startled vision.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading The two stood watching with wide eyes the approach of the bulky, unwieldly object, that nearly dragged along the ground at times, since it was in a partly collapsed state.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A VISITOR FROM THE SKIES “A balloon—yes, that’s what it must be, Bob!” exclaimed the prairie boy, who had doubtless never before set eyes on such an object as now dawned upon his startled vision.
hawknounUS /hɔːk/
diurnal bird of prey typically having short rounded wings and a long tail
From this reading “He seems to be waving his arms at us, Bob!” declared Frank, whose eyes were nearly as keen as those of a hawk.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Sure it is, Frank; I’ve seen ’em lots of times at the country fairs in Kentucky,” Bob went on, almost breathlessly, as he reached the side of his chum.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A VISITOR FROM THE SKIES “A balloon—yes, that’s what it must be, Bob!” exclaimed the prairie boy, who had doubtless never before set eyes on such an object as now dawned upon his startled vision.
I've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Sure it is, Frank; I’ve seen ’em lots of times at the country fairs in Kentucky,” Bob went on, almost breathlessly, as he reached the side of his chum.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “Sure it is, Frank; I’ve seen ’em lots of times at the country fairs in Kentucky,” Bob went on, almost breathlessly, as he reached the side of his chum.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Sure it is, Frank; I’ve seen ’em lots of times at the country fairs in Kentucky,” Bob went on, almost breathlessly, as he reached the side of his chum.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A VISITOR FROM THE SKIES “A balloon—yes, that’s what it must be, Bob!” exclaimed the prairie boy, who had doubtless never before set eyes on such an object as now dawned upon his startled vision.
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading “He seems to be waving his arms at us, Bob!” declared Frank, whose eyes were nearly as keen as those of a hawk.
KentuckynounUS /kənˈtʌki/
a state in east central United States; a border state during the American Civil War; famous for breeding race horses
From this reading “Sure it is, Frank; I’ve seen ’em lots of times at the country fairs in Kentucky,” Bob went on, almost breathlessly, as he reached the side of his chum.
a large number or amount
From this reading “Sure it is, Frank; I’ve seen ’em lots of times at the country fairs in Kentucky,” Bob went on, almost breathlessly, as he reached the side of his chum.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading A VISITOR FROM THE SKIES “A balloon—yes, that’s what it must be, Bob!” exclaimed the prairie boy, who had doubtless never before set eyes on such an object as now dawned upon his startled vision.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The two stood watching with wide eyes the approach of the bulky, unwieldly object, that nearly dragged along the ground at times, since it was in a partly collapsed state.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading A VISITOR FROM THE SKIES “A balloon—yes, that’s what it must be, Bob!” exclaimed the prairie boy, who had doubtless never before set eyes on such an object as now dawned upon his startled vision.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading A VISITOR FROM THE SKIES “A balloon—yes, that’s what it must be, Bob!” exclaimed the prairie boy, who had doubtless never before set eyes on such an object as now dawned upon his startled vision.
a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading A VISITOR FROM THE SKIES “A balloon—yes, that’s what it must be, Bob!” exclaimed the prairie boy, who had doubtless never before set eyes on such an object as now dawned upon his startled vision.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “Sure it is, Frank; I’ve seen ’em lots of times at the country fairs in Kentucky,” Bob went on, almost breathlessly, as he reached the side of his chum.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A VISITOR FROM THE SKIES “A balloon—yes, that’s what it must be, Bob!” exclaimed the prairie boy, who had doubtless never before set eyes on such an object as now dawned upon his startled vision.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading “Yes, he is trying to tell us something, Frank,” replied the other.
to some extent; in some degree; not wholly
From this reading The two stood watching with wide eyes the approach of the bulky, unwieldly object, that nearly dragged along the ground at times, since it was in a partly collapsed state.
prairienounUS /ˈpreri/
a treeless grassy plain
From this reading A VISITOR FROM THE SKIES “A balloon—yes, that’s what it must be, Bob!” exclaimed the prairie boy, who had doubtless never before set eyes on such an object as now dawned upon his startled vision.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading “Sure it is, Frank; I’ve seen ’em lots of times at the country fairs in Kentucky,” Bob went on, almost breathlessly, as he reached the side of his chum.
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading “Yes, he is trying to tell us something, Frank,” replied the other.
third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading “He seems to be waving his arms at us, Bob!” declared Frank, whose eyes were nearly as keen as those of a hawk.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading “Sure it is, Frank; I’ve seen ’em lots of times at the country fairs in Kentucky,” Bob went on, almost breathlessly, as he reached the side of his chum.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading A VISITOR FROM THE SKIES “A balloon—yes, that’s what it must be, Bob!” exclaimed the prairie boy, who had doubtless never before set eyes on such an object as now dawned upon his startled vision.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading “Sure it is, Frank; I’ve seen ’em lots of times at the country fairs in Kentucky,” Bob went on, almost breathlessly, as he reached the side of his chum.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading The two stood watching with wide eyes the approach of the bulky, unwieldly object, that nearly dragged along the ground at times, since it was in a partly collapsed state.
SKIESnounUS /skaɪz/
plural of “sky” — the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading A VISITOR FROM THE SKIES “A balloon—yes, that’s what it must be, Bob!” exclaimed the prairie boy, who had doubtless never before set eyes on such an object as now dawned upon his startled vision.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading “Yes, he is trying to tell us something, Frank,” replied the other.
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading A VISITOR FROM THE SKIES “A balloon—yes, that’s what it must be, Bob!” exclaimed the prairie boy, who had doubtless never before set eyes on such an object as now dawned upon his startled vision.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading The two stood watching with wide eyes the approach of the bulky, unwieldly object, that nearly dragged along the ground at times, since it was in a partly collapsed state.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The two stood watching with wide eyes the approach of the bulky, unwieldly object, that nearly dragged along the ground at times, since it was in a partly collapsed state.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading A VISITOR FROM THE SKIES “A balloon—yes, that’s what it must be, Bob!” exclaimed the prairie boy, who had doubtless never before set eyes on such an object as now dawned upon his startled vision.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading “Sure it is, Frank; I’ve seen ’em lots of times at the country fairs in Kentucky,” Bob went on, almost breathlessly, as he reached the side of his chum.
express in words
From this reading “Yes, he is trying to tell us something, Frank,” replied the other.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The two stood watching with wide eyes the approach of the bulky, unwieldly object, that nearly dragged along the ground at times, since it was in a partly collapsed state.
that's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A VISITOR FROM THE SKIES “A balloon—yes, that’s what it must be, Bob!” exclaimed the prairie boy, who had doubtless never before set eyes on such an object as now dawned upon his startled vision.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A VISITOR FROM THE SKIES “A balloon—yes, that’s what it must be, Bob!” exclaimed the prairie boy, who had doubtless never before set eyes on such an object as now dawned upon his startled vision.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading “He seems to be waving his arms at us, Bob!” declared Frank, whose eyes were nearly as keen as those of a hawk.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading “Sure it is, Frank; I’ve seen ’em lots of times at the country fairs in Kentucky,” Bob went on, almost breathlessly, as he reached the side of his chum.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “He seems to be waving his arms at us, Bob!” declared Frank, whose eyes were nearly as keen as those of a hawk.
hard to endure
From this reading “Yes, he is trying to tell us something, Frank,” replied the other.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The two stood watching with wide eyes the approach of the bulky, unwieldly object, that nearly dragged along the ground at times, since it was in a partly collapsed state.
unwieldly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two stood watching with wide eyes the approach of the bulky, unwieldly object, that nearly dragged along the ground at times, since it was in a partly collapsed state.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading A VISITOR FROM THE SKIES “A balloon—yes, that’s what it must be, Bob!” exclaimed the prairie boy, who had doubtless never before set eyes on such an object as now dawned upon his startled vision.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “He seems to be waving his arms at us, Bob!” declared Frank, whose eyes were nearly as keen as those of a hawk.
a vivid mental image
From this reading A VISITOR FROM THE SKIES “A balloon—yes, that’s what it must be, Bob!” exclaimed the prairie boy, who had doubtless never before set eyes on such an object as now dawned upon his startled vision.
someone who visits
From this reading A VISITOR FROM THE SKIES “A balloon—yes, that’s what it must be, Bob!” exclaimed the prairie boy, who had doubtless never before set eyes on such an object as now dawned upon his startled vision.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The two stood watching with wide eyes the approach of the bulky, unwieldly object, that nearly dragged along the ground at times, since it was in a partly collapsed state.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading The two stood watching with wide eyes the approach of the bulky, unwieldly object, that nearly dragged along the ground at times, since it was in a partly collapsed state.
wavingnounUS /ˈweɪvɪŋ/
the act of signaling by a movement of the hand
From this reading “He seems to be waving his arms at us, Bob!” declared Frank, whose eyes were nearly as keen as those of a hawk.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading “Sure it is, Frank; I’ve seen ’em lots of times at the country fairs in Kentucky,” Bob went on, almost breathlessly, as he reached the side of his chum.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “He seems to be waving his arms at us, Bob!” declared Frank, whose eyes were nearly as keen as those of a hawk.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading A VISITOR FROM THE SKIES “A balloon—yes, that’s what it must be, Bob!” exclaimed the prairie boy, who had doubtless never before set eyes on such an object as now dawned upon his startled vision.
which person or people
From this reading A VISITOR FROM THE SKIES “A balloon—yes, that’s what it must be, Bob!” exclaimed the prairie boy, who had doubtless never before set eyes on such an object as now dawned upon his startled vision.
belonging to which person
From this reading “He seems to be waving his arms at us, Bob!” declared Frank, whose eyes were nearly as keen as those of a hawk.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading The two stood watching with wide eyes the approach of the bulky, unwieldly object, that nearly dragged along the ground at times, since it was in a partly collapsed state.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The two stood watching with wide eyes the approach of the bulky, unwieldly object, that nearly dragged along the ground at times, since it was in a partly collapsed state.
an affirmative
From this reading A VISITOR FROM THE SKIES “A balloon—yes, that’s what it must be, Bob!” exclaimed the prairie boy, who had doubtless never before set eyes on such an object as now dawned upon his startled vision.
