used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The locomotive bell began to ring, there was a hissing of steam, and a puffing of the great locomotive, and the train slid gently forward.
aboardadverbUS /əˈbɔːrd/
on a ship, train, plane or other vehicle
From this reading THE SCENE OF ACTION As the conductor shouted "All aboard!" the little group of boys on the station platform suddenly parted, and the four who had stood in the centre of the ring, vigorously shaking hands, now moved hastily toward the train and scrambled up the steps.
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading THE SCENE OF ACTION As the conductor shouted "All aboard!" the little group of boys on the station platform suddenly parted, and the four who had stood in the centre of the ring, vigorously shaking hands, now moved hastily toward the train and scrambled up the steps.
at or in the front
From this reading Then they turned and entered the coach, with the cheers of their comrades ringing in their ears, their hearts beating with high determination to give all that they had of strength and skill and courage and patience to the grim task that lay ahead of them.
(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 THE SCENE OF ACTION As the conductor shouted "All aboard!" the little group of boys on the station platform suddenly parted, and the four who had stood in the centre of the ring, vigorously shaking hands, now moved hastily toward the train and scrambled up the steps.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE SCENE OF ACTION As the conductor shouted "All aboard!" the little group of boys on the station platform suddenly parted, and the four who had stood in the centre of the ring, vigorously shaking hands, now moved hastily toward the train and scrambled up the steps.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE SCENE OF ACTION As the conductor shouted "All aboard!" the little group of boys on the station platform suddenly parted, and the four who had stood in the centre of the ring, vigorously shaking hands, now moved hastily toward the train and scrambled up the steps.
the act of overcoming or outdoing
From this reading Then they turned and entered the coach, with the cheers of their comrades ringing in their ears, their hearts beating with high determination to give all that they had of strength and skill and courage and patience to the grim task that lay ahead of them.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The locomotive bell began to ring, there was a hissing of steam, and a puffing of the great locomotive, and the train slid gently forward.
a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading The locomotive bell began to ring, there was a hissing of steam, and a puffing of the great locomotive, and the train slid gently forward.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading THE SCENE OF ACTION As the conductor shouted "All aboard!" the little group of boys on the station platform suddenly parted, and the four who had stood in the centre of the ring, vigorously shaking hands, now moved hastily toward the train and scrambled up the steps.
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading On the car platform stood the four departing members of the wireless patrol, waving fond farewells to their less fortunate members.
a low-lying region in central France
From this reading THE SCENE OF ACTION As the conductor shouted "All aboard!" the little group of boys on the station platform suddenly parted, and the four who had stood in the centre of the ring, vigorously shaking hands, now moved hastily toward the train and scrambled up the steps.
cheersnounUS /tʃɪrz/
plural of “cheer” — a cry or shout of approval
From this reading Then they turned and entered the coach, with the cheers of their comrades ringing in their ears, their hearts beating with high determination to give all that they had of strength and skill and courage and patience to the grim task that lay ahead of them.
teach and supervise (someone); act as a trainer or coach (to), as in sports
From this reading Then they turned and entered the coach, with the cheers of their comrades ringing in their ears, their hearts beating with high determination to give all that they had of strength and skill and courage and patience to the grim task that lay ahead of them.
comradesnounUS /ˈkɑːmrædz/
plural of “comrade” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading Then they turned and entered the coach, with the cheers of their comrades ringing in their ears, their hearts beating with high determination to give all that they had of strength and skill and courage and patience to the grim task that lay ahead of them.
conductornounUS /kənˈdʌktər/
the person who leads a musical group
From this reading THE SCENE OF ACTION As the conductor shouted "All aboard!" the little group of boys on the station platform suddenly parted, and the four who had stood in the centre of the ring, vigorously shaking hands, now moved hastily toward the train and scrambled up the steps.
a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear
From this reading Then they turned and entered the coach, with the cheers of their comrades ringing in their ears, their hearts beating with high determination to give all that they had of strength and skill and courage and patience to the grim task that lay ahead of them.
departingverbUS /dɪˈpɑːrtɪŋ/
-ing form of “depart” — move away from a place into another direction
From this reading On the car platform stood the four departing members of the wireless patrol, waving fond farewells to their less fortunate members.
determinationnounUS /dɪˌtɜːrməˈneɪʃən/
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading Then they turned and entered the coach, with the cheers of their comrades ringing in their ears, their hearts beating with high determination to give all that they had of strength and skill and courage and patience to the grim task that lay ahead of them.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading Then they turned and entered the coach, with the cheers of their comrades ringing in their ears, their hearts beating with high determination to give all that they had of strength and skill and courage and patience to the grim task that lay ahead of them.
engine-driver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The conductor waved his signal to the engine-driver and swung aboard.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading Then they turned and entered the coach, with the cheers of their comrades ringing in their ears, their hearts beating with high determination to give all that they had of strength and skill and courage and patience to the grim task that lay ahead of them.
farewellsnounUS /ˌferˈwelz/
plural of “farewell” — an acknowledgment or expression of goodwill at parting
From this reading On the car platform stood the four departing members of the wireless patrol, waving fond farewells to their less fortunate members.
having or displaying warmth or affection
From this reading On the car platform stood the four departing members of the wireless patrol, waving fond farewells to their less fortunate members.
having unexpected good fortune
From this reading On the car platform stood the four departing members of the wireless patrol, waving fond farewells to their less fortunate members.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading The locomotive bell began to ring, there was a hissing of steam, and a puffing of the great locomotive, and the train slid gently forward.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading THE SCENE OF ACTION As the conductor shouted "All aboard!" the little group of boys on the station platform suddenly parted, and the four who had stood in the centre of the ring, vigorously shaking hands, now moved hastily toward the train and scrambled up the steps.
in a gradual manner
From this reading The locomotive bell began to ring, there was a hissing of steam, and a puffing of the great locomotive, and the train slid gently forward.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Then they turned and entered the coach, with the cheers of their comrades ringing in their ears, their hearts beating with high determination to give all that they had of strength and skill and courage and patience to the grim task that lay ahead of them.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The locomotive bell began to ring, there was a hissing of steam, and a puffing of the great locomotive, and the train slid gently forward.
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
From this reading Then they turned and entered the coach, with the cheers of their comrades ringing in their ears, their hearts beating with high determination to give all that they had of strength and skill and courage and patience to the grim task that lay ahead of them.
any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading THE SCENE OF ACTION As the conductor shouted "All aboard!" the little group of boys on the station platform suddenly parted, and the four who had stood in the centre of the ring, vigorously shaking hands, now moved hastily toward the train and scrambled up the steps.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE SCENE OF ACTION As the conductor shouted "All aboard!" the little group of boys on the station platform suddenly parted, and the four who had stood in the centre of the ring, vigorously shaking hands, now moved hastily toward the train and scrambled up the steps.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading THE SCENE OF ACTION As the conductor shouted "All aboard!" the little group of boys on the station platform suddenly parted, and the four who had stood in the centre of the ring, vigorously shaking hands, now moved hastily toward the train and scrambled up the steps.
in a hurried or hasty manner
From this reading THE SCENE OF ACTION As the conductor shouted "All aboard!" the little group of boys on the station platform suddenly parted, and the four who had stood in the centre of the ring, vigorously shaking hands, now moved hastily toward the train and scrambled up the steps.
a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades
From this reading Then they turned and entered the coach, with the cheers of their comrades ringing in their ears, their hearts beating with high determination to give all that they had of strength and skill and courage and patience to the grim task that lay ahead of them.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Then they turned and entered the coach, with the cheers of their comrades ringing in their ears, their hearts beating with high determination to give all that they had of strength and skill and courage and patience to the grim task that lay ahead of them.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The conductor waved his signal to the engine-driver and swung aboard.
hissingnounUS /ˈhɪsɪŋ/
a fricative sound (especially as an expression of disapproval)
From this reading The locomotive bell began to ring, there was a hissing of steam, and a puffing of the great locomotive, and the train slid gently forward.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE SCENE OF ACTION As the conductor shouted "All aboard!" the little group of boys on the station platform suddenly parted, and the four who had stood in the centre of the ring, vigorously shaking hands, now moved hastily toward the train and scrambled up the steps.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Then they turned and entered the coach, with the cheers of their comrades ringing in their ears, their hearts beating with high determination to give all that they had of strength and skill and courage and patience to the grim task that lay ahead of them.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading On the car platform stood the four departing members of the wireless patrol, waving fond farewells to their less fortunate members.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading THE SCENE OF ACTION As the conductor shouted "All aboard!" the little group of boys on the station platform suddenly parted, and the four who had stood in the centre of the ring, vigorously shaking hands, now moved hastily toward the train and scrambled up the steps.
locomotivenounUS /ˌloʊkəˈmoʊtɪv/
a wheeled vehicle consisting of a self-propelled engine that is used to draw trains along railway tracks
From this reading The locomotive bell began to ring, there was a hissing of steam, and a puffing of the great locomotive, and the train slid gently forward.
plural of “member” — one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)
From this reading On the car platform stood the four departing members of the wireless patrol, waving fond farewells to their less fortunate members.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading THE SCENE OF ACTION As the conductor shouted "All aboard!" the little group of boys on the station platform suddenly parted, and the four who had stood in the centre of the ring, vigorously shaking hands, now moved hastily toward the train and scrambled up the steps.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading THE SCENE OF ACTION As the conductor shouted "All aboard!" the little group of boys on the station platform suddenly parted, and the four who had stood in the centre of the ring, vigorously shaking hands, now moved hastily toward the train and scrambled up the steps.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE SCENE OF ACTION As the conductor shouted "All aboard!" the little group of boys on the station platform suddenly parted, and the four who had stood in the centre of the ring, vigorously shaking hands, now moved hastily toward the train and scrambled up the steps.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE SCENE OF ACTION As the conductor shouted "All aboard!" the little group of boys on the station platform suddenly parted, and the four who had stood in the centre of the ring, vigorously shaking hands, now moved hastily toward the train and scrambled up the steps.
having a margin incised almost to the base so as to create distinct divisions or lobes
From this reading THE SCENE OF ACTION As the conductor shouted "All aboard!" the little group of boys on the station platform suddenly parted, and the four who had stood in the centre of the ring, vigorously shaking hands, now moved hastily toward the train and scrambled up the steps.
good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence
From this reading Then they turned and entered the coach, with the cheers of their comrades ringing in their ears, their hearts beating with high determination to give all that they had of strength and skill and courage and patience to the grim task that lay ahead of them.
patrolnounUS /pəˈtroʊl/
a detachment used for security or reconnaissance
From this reading On the car platform stood the four departing members of the wireless patrol, waving fond farewells to their less fortunate members.
a raised horizontal surface
From this reading THE SCENE OF ACTION As the conductor shouted "All aboard!" the little group of boys on the station platform suddenly parted, and the four who had stood in the centre of the ring, vigorously shaking hands, now moved hastily toward the train and scrambled up the steps.
puffingnounUS /ˈpʌfɪŋ/
blowing tobacco smoke out into the air
From this reading The locomotive bell began to ring, there was a hissing of steam, and a puffing of the great locomotive, and the train slid gently forward.
sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading THE SCENE OF ACTION As the conductor shouted "All aboard!" the little group of boys on the station platform suddenly parted, and the four who had stood in the centre of the ring, vigorously shaking hands, now moved hastily toward the train and scrambled up the steps.
ringingnounUS /ˈrɪŋɪŋ/
the sound of a bell ringing
From this reading Then they turned and entered the coach, with the cheers of their comrades ringing in their ears, their hearts beating with high determination to give all that they had of strength and skill and courage and patience to the grim task that lay ahead of them.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading THE SCENE OF ACTION As the conductor shouted "All aboard!" the little group of boys on the station platform suddenly parted, and the four who had stood in the centre of the ring, vigorously shaking hands, now moved hastily toward the train and scrambled up the steps.
scrambledadjectiveUS /ˈskræmbəld/
thrown together in a disorderly fashion
From this reading THE SCENE OF ACTION As the conductor shouted "All aboard!" the little group of boys on the station platform suddenly parted, and the four who had stood in the centre of the ring, vigorously shaking hands, now moved hastily toward the train and scrambled up the steps.
the act of causing something to move up and down (or back and forth) with quick movements
From this reading THE SCENE OF ACTION As the conductor shouted "All aboard!" the little group of boys on the station platform suddenly parted, and the four who had stood in the centre of the ring, vigorously shaking hands, now moved hastily toward the train and scrambled up the steps.
in a vehement outcry
From this reading THE SCENE OF ACTION As the conductor shouted "All aboard!" the little group of boys on the station platform suddenly parted, and the four who had stood in the centre of the ring, vigorously shaking hands, now moved hastily toward the train and scrambled up the steps.
any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message
From this reading The conductor waved his signal to the engine-driver and swung aboard.
an ability that has been acquired by training
From this reading Then they turned and entered the coach, with the cheers of their comrades ringing in their ears, their hearts beating with high determination to give all that they had of strength and skill and courage and patience to the grim task that lay ahead of them.
slidverbUS /slɪd/
inflected form of “slide” — move obliquely or sideways, usually in an uncontrolled manner
From this reading The locomotive bell began to ring, there was a hissing of steam, and a puffing of the great locomotive, and the train slid gently forward.
a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose
From this reading THE SCENE OF ACTION As the conductor shouted "All aboard!" the little group of boys on the station platform suddenly parted, and the four who had stood in the centre of the ring, vigorously shaking hands, now moved hastily toward the train and scrambled up the steps.
steamverbUS /stiːm/
travel by means of steam power
From this reading The locomotive bell began to ring, there was a hissing of steam, and a puffing of the great locomotive, and the train slid gently forward.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading THE SCENE OF ACTION As the conductor shouted "All aboard!" the little group of boys on the station platform suddenly parted, and the four who had stood in the centre of the ring, vigorously shaking hands, now moved hastily toward the train and scrambled up the steps.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading THE SCENE OF ACTION As the conductor shouted "All aboard!" the little group of boys on the station platform suddenly parted, and the four who had stood in the centre of the ring, vigorously shaking hands, now moved hastily toward the train and scrambled up the steps.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading Then they turned and entered the coach, with the cheers of their comrades ringing in their ears, their hearts beating with high determination to give all that they had of strength and skill and courage and patience to the grim task that lay ahead of them.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading THE SCENE OF ACTION As the conductor shouted "All aboard!" the little group of boys on the station platform suddenly parted, and the four who had stood in the centre of the ring, vigorously shaking hands, now moved hastily toward the train and scrambled up the steps.
inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading The conductor waved his signal to the engine-driver and swung aboard.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading Then they turned and entered the coach, with the cheers of their comrades ringing in their ears, their hearts beating with high determination to give all that they had of strength and skill and courage and patience to the grim task that lay ahead of them.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Then they turned and entered the coach, with the cheers of their comrades ringing in their ears, their hearts beating with high determination to give all that they had of strength and skill and courage and patience to the grim task that lay ahead of them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SCENE OF ACTION As the conductor shouted "All aboard!" the little group of boys on the station platform suddenly parted, and the four who had stood in the centre of the ring, vigorously shaking hands, now moved hastily toward the train and scrambled up the steps.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading On the car platform stood the four departing members of the wireless patrol, waving fond farewells to their less fortunate members.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Then they turned and entered the coach, with the cheers of their comrades ringing in their ears, their hearts beating with high determination to give all that they had of strength and skill and courage and patience to the grim task that lay ahead of them.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then they turned and entered the coach, with the cheers of their comrades ringing in their ears, their hearts beating with high determination to give all that they had of strength and skill and courage and patience to the grim task that lay ahead of them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The locomotive bell began to ring, there was a hissing of steam, and a puffing of the great locomotive, and the train slid gently forward.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Then they turned and entered the coach, with the cheers of their comrades ringing in their ears, their hearts beating with high determination to give all that they had of strength and skill and courage and patience to the grim task that lay ahead of them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The conductor waved his signal to the engine-driver and swung aboard.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading THE SCENE OF ACTION As the conductor shouted "All aboard!" the little group of boys on the station platform suddenly parted, and the four who had stood in the centre of the ring, vigorously shaking hands, now moved hastily toward the train and scrambled up the steps.
create by training and teaching
From this reading THE SCENE OF ACTION As the conductor shouted "All aboard!" the little group of boys on the station platform suddenly parted, and the four who had stood in the centre of the ring, vigorously shaking hands, now moved hastily toward the train and scrambled up the steps.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Then they turned and entered the coach, with the cheers of their comrades ringing in their ears, their hearts beating with high determination to give all that they had of strength and skill and courage and patience to the grim task that lay ahead of them.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading THE SCENE OF ACTION As the conductor shouted "All aboard!" the little group of boys on the station platform suddenly parted, and the four who had stood in the centre of the ring, vigorously shaking hands, now moved hastily toward the train and scrambled up the steps.
vigorouslyadverbUS /ˈvɪɡərəsli/
with vigor; in a vigorous manner
From this reading THE SCENE OF ACTION As the conductor shouted "All aboard!" the little group of boys on the station platform suddenly parted, and the four who had stood in the centre of the ring, vigorously shaking hands, now moved hastily toward the train and scrambled up the steps.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The locomotive bell began to ring, there was a hissing of steam, and a puffing of the great locomotive, and the train slid gently forward.
past form of “wave” — signal with the hands or nod
From this reading The conductor waved his signal to the engine-driver and swung aboard.
wavingnounUS /ˈweɪvɪŋ/
the act of signaling by a movement of the hand
From this reading On the car platform stood the four departing members of the wireless patrol, waving fond farewells to their less fortunate members.
which person or people
From this reading THE SCENE OF ACTION As the conductor shouted "All aboard!" the little group of boys on the station platform suddenly parted, and the four who had stood in the centre of the ring, vigorously shaking hands, now moved hastily toward the train and scrambled up the steps.
wirelessnounUS /ˈwaɪrlɪs/
medium for communication
From this reading On the car platform stood the four departing members of the wireless patrol, waving fond farewells to their less fortunate members.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Then they turned and entered the coach, with the cheers of their comrades ringing in their ears, their hearts beating with high determination to give all that they had of strength and skill and courage and patience to the grim task that lay ahead of them.
