used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE WORLD SWEPT WITH TERROR The tempest of hail, snow, lightning, and rain, which burst so unexpectedly over Washington, was not a local phenomenon.
(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 It leveled the antennae of the wireless telegraph systems all over the world, cutting off communication everywhere.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE WORLD SWEPT WITH TERROR The tempest of hail, snow, lightning, and rain, which burst so unexpectedly over Washington, was not a local phenomenon.
antennaenounUS /ænˈteni/
plural of “antenna” — an electrical device that sends or receives radio or television signals
From this reading It leveled the antennae of the wireless telegraph systems all over the world, cutting off communication everywhere.
areasnounUS /ˈeriəz/
plural of “area” — a particular geographical region of indefinite boundary (usually serving some special purpose or distinguished by its people or culture or geography)
From this reading Rivers had careered over their banks, low-lying towns were flooded, the swollen sewers of cities exploded and inundated the streets, and gradually news came in from country districts showing that vast areas of land had been submerged, and hundreds drowned.
astonishingadjectiveUS /əˈstɑːnɪʃɪŋ/
surprising greatly
From this reading Only the submarine telephone cables remained unaffected, and by them was transmitted the most astonishing news of the ravages of the storm.
English botanist who accompanied Captain Cook on his first voyage to the Pacific Ocean (1743-1820)
From this reading Rivers had careered over their banks, low-lying towns were flooded, the swollen sewers of cities exploded and inundated the streets, and gradually news came in from country districts showing that vast areas of land had been submerged, and hundreds drowned.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Rivers had careered over their banks, low-lying towns were flooded, the swollen sewers of cities exploded and inundated the streets, and gradually news came in from country districts showing that vast areas of land had been submerged, and hundreds drowned.
bureausnounUS /ˈbjʊroʊz/
plural of “bureau” — an administrative unit of government
From this reading The downfall of rain far exceeded everything that the meteorological bureaus had ever recorded.
come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading THE WORLD SWEPT WITH TERROR The tempest of hail, snow, lightning, and rain, which burst so unexpectedly over Washington, was not a local phenomenon.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Only the submarine telephone cables remained unaffected, and by them was transmitted the most astonishing news of the ravages of the storm.
cablesnounUS /ˈkeɪbəlz/
plural of “cable” — a telegram sent abroad
From this reading Only the submarine telephone cables remained unaffected, and by them was transmitted the most astonishing news of the ravages of the storm.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Rivers had careered over their banks, low-lying towns were flooded, the swollen sewers of cities exploded and inundated the streets, and gradually news came in from country districts showing that vast areas of land had been submerged, and hundreds drowned.
careered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rivers had careered over their banks, low-lying towns were flooded, the swollen sewers of cities exploded and inundated the streets, and gradually news came in from country districts showing that vast areas of land had been submerged, and hundreds drowned.
citiesnounUS /ˈsɪtiz/
plural of “city” — a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading Rivers had careered over their banks, low-lying towns were flooded, the swollen sewers of cities exploded and inundated the streets, and gradually news came in from country districts showing that vast areas of land had been submerged, and hundreds drowned.
communicationnounUS /kəˌmjuːnəˈkeɪʃən/
the activity of communicating; the activity of conveying information
From this reading It leveled the antennae of the wireless telegraph systems all over the world, cutting off communication everywhere.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading Rivers had careered over their banks, low-lying towns were flooded, the swollen sewers of cities exploded and inundated the streets, and gradually news came in from country districts showing that vast areas of land had been submerged, and hundreds drowned.
cuttingnounUS /ˈkʌtɪŋ/
the activity of selecting the scenes to be shown and putting them together to create a film
From this reading It leveled the antennae of the wireless telegraph systems all over the world, cutting off communication everywhere.
districtsnounUS /ˈdɪstrɪkts/
plural of “district” — a region marked off for administrative or other purposes
From this reading Rivers had careered over their banks, low-lying towns were flooded, the swollen sewers of cities exploded and inundated the streets, and gradually news came in from country districts showing that vast areas of land had been submerged, and hundreds drowned.
downfallnounUS /ˈdaʊnfɔːl/
failure that results in a loss of position or reputation
From this reading The downfall of rain far exceeded everything that the meteorological bureaus had ever recorded.
drownedverbUS /draʊnd/
past form of “drown” — cover completely or make imperceptible
From this reading Rivers had careered over their banks, low-lying towns were flooded, the swollen sewers of cities exploded and inundated the streets, and gradually news came in from country districts showing that vast areas of land had been submerged, and hundreds drowned.
at any time
From this reading The downfall of rain far exceeded everything that the meteorological bureaus had ever recorded.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading The downfall of rain far exceeded everything that the meteorological bureaus had ever recorded.
to or in any or all places
From this reading It leveled the antennae of the wireless telegraph systems all over the world, cutting off communication everywhere.
exceededverbUS /ɪkˈsiːdəd/
past form of “exceed” — be greater in scope or size than some standard
From this reading The downfall of rain far exceeded everything that the meteorological bureaus had ever recorded.
explodedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsploʊdəd/
showing the parts of something separated but in positions that show their correct relation to one another
From this reading Rivers had careered over their banks, low-lying towns were flooded, the swollen sewers of cities exploded and inundated the streets, and gradually news came in from country districts showing that vast areas of land had been submerged, and hundreds drowned.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading The downfall of rain far exceeded everything that the meteorological bureaus had ever recorded.
floodedadjectiveUS /ˈflʌdəd/
covered with water
From this reading Rivers had careered over their banks, low-lying towns were flooded, the swollen sewers of cities exploded and inundated the streets, and gradually news came in from country districts showing that vast areas of land had been submerged, and hundreds drowned.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Rivers had careered over their banks, low-lying towns were flooded, the swollen sewers of cities exploded and inundated the streets, and gradually news came in from country districts showing that vast areas of land had been submerged, and hundreds drowned.
in a gradual manner
From this reading Rivers had careered over their banks, low-lying towns were flooded, the swollen sewers of cities exploded and inundated the streets, and gradually news came in from country districts showing that vast areas of land had been submerged, and hundreds drowned.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Rivers had careered over their banks, low-lying towns were flooded, the swollen sewers of cities exploded and inundated the streets, and gradually news came in from country districts showing that vast areas of land had been submerged, and hundreds drowned.
hailverbUS /heɪl/
praise vociferously
From this reading THE WORLD SWEPT WITH TERROR The tempest of hail, snow, lightning, and rain, which burst so unexpectedly over Washington, was not a local phenomenon.
plural of “hundred” — ten 10s
From this reading Rivers had careered over their banks, low-lying towns were flooded, the swollen sewers of cities exploded and inundated the streets, and gradually news came in from country districts showing that vast areas of land had been submerged, and hundreds drowned.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Rivers had careered over their banks, low-lying towns were flooded, the swollen sewers of cities exploded and inundated the streets, and gradually news came in from country districts showing that vast areas of land had been submerged, and hundreds drowned.
inundatedadjectiveUS /ˈɪnəndeɪtɪd/
covered with water
From this reading Rivers had careered over their banks, low-lying towns were flooded, the swollen sewers of cities exploded and inundated the streets, and gradually news came in from country districts showing that vast areas of land had been submerged, and hundreds drowned.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It leveled the antennae of the wireless telegraph systems all over the world, cutting off communication everywhere.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading Rivers had careered over their banks, low-lying towns were flooded, the swollen sewers of cities exploded and inundated the streets, and gradually news came in from country districts showing that vast areas of land had been submerged, and hundreds drowned.
leveledverbUS /ˈlevəld/
past form of “level” — aim at
From this reading It leveled the antennae of the wireless telegraph systems all over the world, cutting off communication everywhere.
abrupt electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth accompanied by the emission of light
From this reading THE WORLD SWEPT WITH TERROR The tempest of hail, snow, lightning, and rain, which burst so unexpectedly over Washington, was not a local phenomenon.
localadjectiveUS /ˈloʊkəl/
relating to or applicable to or concerned with the administration of a city or town or district rather than a larger area
From this reading THE WORLD SWEPT WITH TERROR The tempest of hail, snow, lightning, and rain, which burst so unexpectedly over Washington, was not a local phenomenon.
low-lyingadjective
having a small elevation above the ground or horizon or sea level
From this reading Rivers had careered over their banks, low-lying towns were flooded, the swollen sewers of cities exploded and inundated the streets, and gradually news came in from country districts showing that vast areas of land had been submerged, and hundreds drowned.
meteorologicaladjectiveUS /ˌmiːtiɔːrəˈlɑːdʒɪkəl/
of or pertaining to atmospheric phenomena, especially weather and weather conditions
From this reading The downfall of rain far exceeded everything that the meteorological bureaus had ever recorded.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Only the submarine telephone cables remained unaffected, and by them was transmitted the most astonishing news of the ravages of the storm.
information about recent and important events
From this reading Only the submarine telephone cables remained unaffected, and by them was transmitted the most astonishing news of the ravages of the storm.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading THE WORLD SWEPT WITH TERROR The tempest of hail, snow, lightning, and rain, which burst so unexpectedly over Washington, was not a local phenomenon.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE WORLD SWEPT WITH TERROR The tempest of hail, snow, lightning, and rain, which burst so unexpectedly over Washington, was not a local phenomenon.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading It leveled the antennae of the wireless telegraph systems all over the world, cutting off communication everywhere.
and nothing more
From this reading Only the submarine telephone cables remained unaffected, and by them was transmitted the most astonishing news of the ravages of the storm.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading THE WORLD SWEPT WITH TERROR The tempest of hail, snow, lightning, and rain, which burst so unexpectedly over Washington, was not a local phenomenon.
phenomenonnounUS /fəˈnɑːmənɑːn/
any state or process known through the senses rather than by intuition or reasoning
From this reading THE WORLD SWEPT WITH TERROR The tempest of hail, snow, lightning, and rain, which burst so unexpectedly over Washington, was not a local phenomenon.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading THE WORLD SWEPT WITH TERROR The tempest of hail, snow, lightning, and rain, which burst so unexpectedly over Washington, was not a local phenomenon.
ravagesnounUS /ˈrævɪdʒɪz/
plural of “ravage” — (usually plural) a destructive action
From this reading Only the submarine telephone cables remained unaffected, and by them was transmitted the most astonishing news of the ravages of the storm.
recordedadjectiveUS /rəˈkɔːrdɪd/
set down or registered in a permanent form especially on film or tape for reproduction
From this reading The downfall of rain far exceeded everything that the meteorological bureaus had ever recorded.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Only the submarine telephone cables remained unaffected, and by them was transmitted the most astonishing news of the ravages of the storm.
RiversnounUS /ˈrɪvərz/
plural of “river” — a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading Rivers had careered over their banks, low-lying towns were flooded, the swollen sewers of cities exploded and inundated the streets, and gradually news came in from country districts showing that vast areas of land had been submerged, and hundreds drowned.
sewersnounUS /ˈsuːərz/
plural of “sewer” — a waste pipe that carries away sewage or surface water
From this reading Rivers had careered over their banks, low-lying towns were flooded, the swollen sewers of cities exploded and inundated the streets, and gradually news came in from country districts showing that vast areas of land had been submerged, and hundreds drowned.
the display of a motion picture
From this reading Rivers had careered over their banks, low-lying towns were flooded, the swollen sewers of cities exploded and inundated the streets, and gradually news came in from country districts showing that vast areas of land had been submerged, and hundreds drowned.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading THE WORLD SWEPT WITH TERROR The tempest of hail, snow, lightning, and rain, which burst so unexpectedly over Washington, was not a local phenomenon.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading THE WORLD SWEPT WITH TERROR The tempest of hail, snow, lightning, and rain, which burst so unexpectedly over Washington, was not a local phenomenon.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading Only the submarine telephone cables remained unaffected, and by them was transmitted the most astonishing news of the ravages of the storm.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading Rivers had careered over their banks, low-lying towns were flooded, the swollen sewers of cities exploded and inundated the streets, and gradually news came in from country districts showing that vast areas of land had been submerged, and hundreds drowned.
submarinenounUS /ˈsʌbməriːn/
a submersible warship usually armed with torpedoes
From this reading Only the submarine telephone cables remained unaffected, and by them was transmitted the most astonishing news of the ravages of the storm.
submergedadjectiveUS /səbˈmɜːrdʒd/
beneath the surface of the water
From this reading Rivers had careered over their banks, low-lying towns were flooded, the swollen sewers of cities exploded and inundated the streets, and gradually news came in from country districts showing that vast areas of land had been submerged, and hundreds drowned.
possessing sweep
From this reading THE WORLD SWEPT WITH TERROR The tempest of hail, snow, lightning, and rain, which burst so unexpectedly over Washington, was not a local phenomenon.
swollenadjectiveUS /ˈswoʊlən/
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading Rivers had careered over their banks, low-lying towns were flooded, the swollen sewers of cities exploded and inundated the streets, and gradually news came in from country districts showing that vast areas of land had been submerged, and hundreds drowned.
systemsnounUS /ˈsɪstəmz/
plural of “system” — instrumentality that combines interrelated interacting artifacts designed to work as a coherent entity
From this reading It leveled the antennae of the wireless telegraph systems all over the world, cutting off communication everywhere.
telegraphnounUS /ˈteləɡræf/
apparatus used to communicate at a distance over a wire (usually in Morse code)
From this reading It leveled the antennae of the wireless telegraph systems all over the world, cutting off communication everywhere.
telephonenounUS /ˈteləfoʊn/
electronic equipment that converts sound into electrical signals that can be transmitted over distances and then converts received signals back into sounds
From this reading Only the submarine telephone cables remained unaffected, and by them was transmitted the most astonishing news of the ravages of the storm.
tempestnounUS /ˈtempəst/
a violent commotion or disturbance
From this reading THE WORLD SWEPT WITH TERROR The tempest of hail, snow, lightning, and rain, which burst so unexpectedly over Washington, was not a local phenomenon.
an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
From this reading THE WORLD SWEPT WITH TERROR The tempest of hail, snow, lightning, and rain, which burst so unexpectedly over Washington, was not a local phenomenon.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Rivers had careered over their banks, low-lying towns were flooded, the swollen sewers of cities exploded and inundated the streets, and gradually news came in from country districts showing that vast areas of land had been submerged, and hundreds drowned.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE WORLD SWEPT WITH TERROR The tempest of hail, snow, lightning, and rain, which burst so unexpectedly over Washington, was not a local phenomenon.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Rivers had careered over their banks, low-lying towns were flooded, the swollen sewers of cities exploded and inundated the streets, and gradually news came in from country districts showing that vast areas of land had been submerged, and hundreds drowned.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Only the submarine telephone cables remained unaffected, and by them was transmitted the most astonishing news of the ravages of the storm.
townsnounUS /taʊnz/
plural of “town” — an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading Rivers had careered over their banks, low-lying towns were flooded, the swollen sewers of cities exploded and inundated the streets, and gradually news came in from country districts showing that vast areas of land had been submerged, and hundreds drowned.
transmittedadjectiveUS /trænˈsmɪtɪd/
occurring among members of a family usually by heredity
From this reading Only the submarine telephone cables remained unaffected, and by them was transmitted the most astonishing news of the ravages of the storm.
unaffectedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnəˈfektɪd/
undergoing no change when acted upon
From this reading Only the submarine telephone cables remained unaffected, and by them was transmitted the most astonishing news of the ravages of the storm.
unexpectedlyadverbUS /ˌʌnɪkˈspektɪdli/
in a way that was not expected
From this reading THE WORLD SWEPT WITH TERROR The tempest of hail, snow, lightning, and rain, which burst so unexpectedly over Washington, was not a local phenomenon.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading Rivers had careered over their banks, low-lying towns were flooded, the swollen sewers of cities exploded and inundated the streets, and gradually news came in from country districts showing that vast areas of land had been submerged, and hundreds drowned.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE WORLD SWEPT WITH TERROR The tempest of hail, snow, lightning, and rain, which burst so unexpectedly over Washington, was not a local phenomenon.
the capital of the United States in the District of Columbia and a tourist mecca; George Washington commissioned Charles L'Enfant to lay out the city in 1791
From this reading THE WORLD SWEPT WITH TERROR The tempest of hail, snow, lightning, and rain, which burst so unexpectedly over Washington, was not a local phenomenon.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Rivers had careered over their banks, low-lying towns were flooded, the swollen sewers of cities exploded and inundated the streets, and gradually news came in from country districts showing that vast areas of land had been submerged, and hundreds drowned.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE WORLD SWEPT WITH TERROR The tempest of hail, snow, lightning, and rain, which burst so unexpectedly over Washington, was not a local phenomenon.
wirelessnounUS /ˈwaɪrlɪs/
medium for communication
From this reading It leveled the antennae of the wireless telegraph systems all over the world, cutting off communication everywhere.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE WORLD SWEPT WITH TERROR The tempest of hail, snow, lightning, and rain, which burst so unexpectedly over Washington, was not a local phenomenon.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading THE WORLD SWEPT WITH TERROR The tempest of hail, snow, lightning, and rain, which burst so unexpectedly over Washington, was not a local phenomenon.
