Chapter XV · The Dash of the Scary Hen

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Nothing had been further from Poke’s intention than such a wild ride as that in which he now found himself engaged.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Indeed, so well had friction been reduced that the Saracen could be wheeled about easily; but now it was all too evident that the wheeling by engine power was also easily accomplished.

highly skilled

From this reading Indeed, so well had friction been reduced that the Saracen could be wheeled about easily; but now it was all too evident that the wheeling by engine power was also easily accomplished.

making or becoming suitable; adjusting to circumstances

From this reading Great pains had been taken in the adjustment of the bicycle wheels under the plane, and Master Mechanic Step had been proud of their smooth running on their ball-bearings.

fear resulting from the awareness of danger

From this reading All he had proposed was a sort of “dock trial”--to use an expression he had once employed in talking with Sam; but now, to his bewilderment and alarm, he was going to sea, so to speak.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading All he had proposed was a sort of “dock trial”--to use an expression he had once employed in talking with Sam; but now, to his bewilderment and alarm, he was going to sea, so to speak.

in addition

From this reading Indeed, so well had friction been reduced that the Saracen could be wheeled about easily; but now it was all too evident that the wheeling by engine power was also easily accomplished.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading All he had proposed was a sort of “dock trial”--to use an expression he had once employed in talking with Sam; but now, to his bewilderment and alarm, he was going to sea, so to speak.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading All he had proposed was a sort of “dock trial”--to use an expression he had once employed in talking with Sam; but now, to his bewilderment and alarm, he was going to sea, so to speak.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Nothing had been further from Poke’s intention than such a wild ride as that in which he now found himself engaged.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Great pains had been taken in the adjustment of the bicycle wheels under the plane, and Master Mechanic Step had been proud of their smooth running on their ball-bearings.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Indeed, so well had friction been reduced that the Saracen could be wheeled about easily; but now it was all too evident that the wheeling by engine power was also easily accomplished.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Nothing had been further from Poke’s intention than such a wild ride as that in which he now found himself engaged.

confusion resulting from failure to understand

From this reading All he had proposed was a sort of “dock trial”--to use an expression he had once employed in talking with Sam; but now, to his bewilderment and alarm, he was going to sea, so to speak.

a wheeled vehicle that has two wheels and is moved by foot pedals

From this reading Great pains had been taken in the adjustment of the bicycle wheels under the plane, and Master Mechanic Step had been proud of their smooth running on their ball-bearings.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading All he had proposed was a sort of “dock trial”--to use an expression he had once employed in talking with Sam; but now, to his bewilderment and alarm, he was going to sea, so to speak.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Indeed, so well had friction been reduced that the Saracen could be wheeled about easily; but now it was all too evident that the wheeling by engine power was also easily accomplished.

a collection of things that have been combined; an assemblage of separate parts or qualities

From this reading The push of the swiftly-whirling propeller and the slope was producing a most effective combination.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Indeed, so well had friction been reduced that the Saracen could be wheeled about easily; but now it was all too evident that the wheeling by engine power was also easily accomplished.

an enclosure in a court of law where the defendant sits during the trial

From this reading All he had proposed was a sort of “dock trial”--to use an expression he had once employed in talking with Sam; but now, to his bewilderment and alarm, he was going to sea, so to speak.

with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)

From this reading Indeed, so well had friction been reduced that the Saracen could be wheeled about easily; but now it was all too evident that the wheeling by engine power was also easily accomplished.

producing or capable of producing an intended result or having a striking effect

From this reading The push of the swiftly-whirling propeller and the slope was producing a most effective combination.

having your services engaged for; or having a job especially one that pays wages or a salary

From this reading All he had proposed was a sort of “dock trial”--to use an expression he had once employed in talking with Sam; but now, to his bewilderment and alarm, he was going to sea, so to speak.

having ones attention or mind or energy engaged

From this reading Nothing had been further from Poke’s intention than such a wild ride as that in which he now found himself engaged.

motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work

From this reading Indeed, so well had friction been reduced that the Saracen could be wheeled about easily; but now it was all too evident that the wheeling by engine power was also easily accomplished.

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading Indeed, so well had friction been reduced that the Saracen could be wheeled about easily; but now it was all too evident that the wheeling by engine power was also easily accomplished.

the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading All he had proposed was a sort of “dock trial”--to use an expression he had once employed in talking with Sam; but now, to his bewilderment and alarm, he was going to sea, so to speak.

set up or found

From this reading Nothing had been further from Poke’s intention than such a wild ride as that in which he now found himself engaged.

a state of conflict between persons

From this reading Indeed, so well had friction been reduced that the Saracen could be wheeled about easily; but now it was all too evident that the wheeling by engine power was also easily accomplished.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Nothing had been further from Poke’s intention than such a wild ride as that in which he now found himself engaged.

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 Nothing had been further from Poke’s intention than such a wild ride as that in which he now found himself engaged.

the act of departing

From this reading All he had proposed was a sort of “dock trial”--to use an expression he had once employed in talking with Sam; but now, to his bewilderment and alarm, he was going to sea, so to speak.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Great pains had been taken in the adjustment of the bicycle wheels under the plane, and Master Mechanic Step had been proud of their smooth running on their ball-bearings.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Nothing had been further from Poke’s intention than such a wild ride as that in which he now found himself engaged.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Nothing had been further from Poke’s intention than such a wild ride as that in which he now found himself engaged.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Nothing had been further from Poke’s intention than such a wild ride as that in which he now found himself engaged.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading All he had proposed was a sort of “dock trial”--to use an expression he had once employed in talking with Sam; but now, to his bewilderment and alarm, he was going to sea, so to speak.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Nothing had been further from Poke’s intention than such a wild ride as that in which he now found himself engaged.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading Indeed, so well had friction been reduced that the Saracen could be wheeled about easily; but now it was all too evident that the wheeling by engine power was also easily accomplished.

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading Nothing had been further from Poke’s intention than such a wild ride as that in which he now found himself engaged.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Indeed, so well had friction been reduced that the Saracen could be wheeled about easily; but now it was all too evident that the wheeling by engine power was also easily accomplished.

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading Great pains had been taken in the adjustment of the bicycle wheels under the plane, and Master Mechanic Step had been proud of their smooth running on their ball-bearings.

a craftsman skilled in operating machine tools

From this reading Great pains had been taken in the adjustment of the bicycle wheels under the plane, and Master Mechanic Step had been proud of their smooth running on their ball-bearings.

used to form the superlative

From this reading The push of the swiftly-whirling propeller and the slope was producing a most effective combination.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Nothing had been further from Poke’s intention than such a wild ride as that in which he now found himself engaged.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Nothing had been further from Poke’s intention than such a wild ride as that in which he now found himself engaged.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading All he had proposed was a sort of “dock trial”--to use an expression he had once employed in talking with Sam; but now, to his bewilderment and alarm, he was going to sea, so to speak.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Great pains had been taken in the adjustment of the bicycle wheels under the plane, and Master Mechanic Step had been proud of their smooth running on their ball-bearings.

on one occasion

From this reading All he had proposed was a sort of “dock trial”--to use an expression he had once employed in talking with Sam; but now, to his bewilderment and alarm, he was going to sea, so to speak.

an effortful attempt to attain a goal

From this reading Great pains had been taken in the adjustment of the bicycle wheels under the plane, and Master Mechanic Step had been proud of their smooth running on their ball-bearings.

an aircraft that has a fixed wing and is powered by propellers or jets

From this reading Great pains had been taken in the adjustment of the bicycle wheels under the plane, and Master Mechanic Step had been proud of their smooth running on their ball-bearings.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Nothing had been further from Poke’s intention than such a wild ride as that in which he now found himself engaged.

possession of controlling influence

From this reading Indeed, so well had friction been reduced that the Saracen could be wheeled about easily; but now it was all too evident that the wheeling by engine power was also easily accomplished.

-ing form of “produce” — bring forth or yield

From this reading The push of the swiftly-whirling propeller and the slope was producing a most effective combination.

a mechanical device that rotates to push against air or water

From this reading The push of the swiftly-whirling propeller and the slope was producing a most effective combination.

past form of “propose” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading All he had proposed was a sort of “dock trial”--to use an expression he had once employed in talking with Sam; but now, to his bewilderment and alarm, he was going to sea, so to speak.

feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride

From this reading Great pains had been taken in the adjustment of the bicycle wheels under the plane, and Master Mechanic Step had been proud of their smooth running on their ball-bearings.

move with force

From this reading The push of the swiftly-whirling propeller and the slope was producing a most effective combination.

made less in size or amount or degree

From this reading Indeed, so well had friction been reduced that the Saracen could be wheeled about easily; but now it was all too evident that the wheeling by engine power was also easily accomplished.

sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading Nothing had been further from Poke’s intention than such a wild ride as that in which he now found himself engaged.

(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream

From this reading Great pains had been taken in the adjustment of the bicycle wheels under the plane, and Master Mechanic Step had been proud of their smooth running on their ball-bearings.

a guided missile fired from land or shipboard against an airborne target

From this reading All he had proposed was a sort of “dock trial”--to use an expression he had once employed in talking with Sam; but now, to his bewilderment and alarm, he was going to sea, so to speak.

(historically) a member of the nomadic people of the Syrian and Arabian deserts at the time of the Roman Empire

From this reading Indeed, so well had friction been reduced that the Saracen could be wheeled about easily; but now it was all too evident that the wheeling by engine power was also easily accomplished.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading All he had proposed was a sort of “dock trial”--to use an expression he had once employed in talking with Sam; but now, to his bewilderment and alarm, he was going to sea, so to speak.

an elevated geological formation

From this reading The push of the swiftly-whirling propeller and the slope was producing a most effective combination.

having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities

From this reading Great pains had been taken in the adjustment of the bicycle wheels under the plane, and Master Mechanic Step had been proud of their smooth running on their ball-bearings.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading All he had proposed was a sort of “dock trial”--to use an expression he had once employed in talking with Sam; but now, to his bewilderment and alarm, he was going to sea, so to speak.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading All he had proposed was a sort of “dock trial”--to use an expression he had once employed in talking with Sam; but now, to his bewilderment and alarm, he was going to sea, so to speak.

express in speech

From this reading All he had proposed was a sort of “dock trial”--to use an expression he had once employed in talking with Sam; but now, to his bewilderment and alarm, he was going to sea, so to speak.

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading Great pains had been taken in the adjustment of the bicycle wheels under the plane, and Master Mechanic Step had been proud of their smooth running on their ball-bearings.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Nothing had been further from Poke’s intention than such a wild ride as that in which he now found himself engaged.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The push of the swiftly-whirling propeller and the slope was producing a most effective combination.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading Great pains had been taken in the adjustment of the bicycle wheels under the plane, and Master Mechanic Step had been proud of their smooth running on their ball-bearings.

an exchange of ideas via conversation

From this reading All he had proposed was a sort of “dock trial”--to use an expression he had once employed in talking with Sam; but now, to his bewilderment and alarm, he was going to sea, so to speak.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Nothing had been further from Poke’s intention than such a wild ride as that in which he now found himself engaged.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Nothing had been further from Poke’s intention than such a wild ride as that in which he now found himself engaged.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Great pains had been taken in the adjustment of the bicycle wheels under the plane, and Master Mechanic Step had been proud of their smooth running on their ball-bearings.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Great pains had been taken in the adjustment of the bicycle wheels under the plane, and Master Mechanic Step had been proud of their smooth running on their ball-bearings.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading All he had proposed was a sort of “dock trial”--to use an expression he had once employed in talking with Sam; but now, to his bewilderment and alarm, he was going to sea, so to speak.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Indeed, so well had friction been reduced that the Saracen could be wheeled about easily; but now it was all too evident that the wheeling by engine power was also easily accomplished.

the act of testing something

From this reading All he had proposed was a sort of “dock trial”--to use an expression he had once employed in talking with Sam; but now, to his bewilderment and alarm, he was going to sea, so to speak.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Great pains had been taken in the adjustment of the bicycle wheels under the plane, and Master Mechanic Step had been proud of their smooth running on their ball-bearings.

the act of using

From this reading All he had proposed was a sort of “dock trial”--to use an expression he had once employed in talking with Sam; but now, to his bewilderment and alarm, he was going to sea, so to speak.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading All he had proposed was a sort of “dock trial”--to use an expression he had once employed in talking with Sam; but now, to his bewilderment and alarm, he was going to sea, so to speak.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading Indeed, so well had friction been reduced that the Saracen could be wheeled about easily; but now it was all too evident that the wheeling by engine power was also easily accomplished.

having wheels; often used in combination

From this reading Indeed, so well had friction been reduced that the Saracen could be wheeled about easily; but now it was all too evident that the wheeling by engine power was also easily accomplished.

a city in the northern panhandle of West Virginia on the Ohio river

From this reading Indeed, so well had friction been reduced that the Saracen could be wheeled about easily; but now it was all too evident that the wheeling by engine power was also easily accomplished.

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 Great pains had been taken in the adjustment of the bicycle wheels under the plane, and Master Mechanic Step had been proud of their smooth running on their ball-bearings.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Nothing had been further from Poke’s intention than such a wild ride as that in which he now found himself engaged.

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading Nothing had been further from Poke’s intention than such a wild ride as that in which he now found himself engaged.

in the company of; together with

From this reading All he had proposed was a sort of “dock trial”--to use an expression he had once employed in talking with Sam; but now, to his bewilderment and alarm, he was going to sea, so to speak.