used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Within ten minutes the _Despatch_ had messenger boys on tap instead of bells, bicycles instead of telephones, and a variety of lamps and candles in place of electricity.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading DARKNESS AND PANIC Probably the only men in the whole of New York who accepted promptly and unquestioningly the fact that the entire electrical apparatus of the city was paralyzed were those in the newspaper offices.
commonly used or practiced; usual
From this reading These capable citizens, accustomed to quick adaptations to new environments and to wide reaches of the imagination, made two or three experiments, and accepted the inevitable.
adaptationsnounUS /ˌædæpˈteɪʃənz/
plural of “adaptation” — a written work (as a novel) that has been recast in a new form
From this reading These capable citizens, accustomed to quick adaptations to new environments and to wide reaches of the imagination, made two or three experiments, and accepted the inevitable.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The _Despatch_ was out after news.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading DARKNESS AND PANIC Probably the only men in the whole of New York who accepted promptly and unquestioningly the fact that the entire electrical apparatus of the city was paralyzed were those in the newspaper offices.
apparatusnounUS /ˌæpərˈætəs/
equipment designed to serve a specific function
From this reading DARKNESS AND PANIC Probably the only men in the whole of New York who accepted promptly and unquestioningly the fact that the entire electrical apparatus of the city was paralyzed were those in the newspaper offices.
bellsnounUS /belz/
plural of “bell” — a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading Within ten minutes the _Despatch_ had messenger boys on tap instead of bells, bicycles instead of telephones, and a variety of lamps and candles in place of electricity.
bicyclesnounUS /ˈbaɪsɪkəlz/
plural of “bicycle” — a wheeled vehicle that has two wheels and is moved by foot pedals
From this reading Within ten minutes the _Despatch_ had messenger boys on tap instead of bells, bicycles instead of telephones, and a variety of lamps and candles in place of electricity.
blazesnounUS /ˈbleɪzɪz/
plural of “blaze” — a strong flame that burns brightly
From this reading Everybody else in town was speculating why in blazes this visitation had struck them.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading Within ten minutes the _Despatch_ had messenger boys on tap instead of bells, bicycles instead of telephones, and a variety of lamps and candles in place of electricity.
candlesnounUS /ˈkændəlz/
plural of “candle” — stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading Within ten minutes the _Despatch_ had messenger boys on tap instead of bells, bicycles instead of telephones, and a variety of lamps and candles in place of electricity.
(usually followed by “of”) having capacity or ability
From this reading These capable citizens, accustomed to quick adaptations to new environments and to wide reaches of the imagination, made two or three experiments, and accepted the inevitable.
citizensnounUS /ˈsɪtəzənz/
plural of “citizen” — a native or naturalized member of a state or other political community
From this reading These capable citizens, accustomed to quick adaptations to new environments and to wide reaches of the imagination, made two or three experiments, and accepted the inevitable.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading DARKNESS AND PANIC Probably the only men in the whole of New York who accepted promptly and unquestioningly the fact that the entire electrical apparatus of the city was paralyzed were those in the newspaper offices.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading DARKNESS AND PANIC Probably the only men in the whole of New York who accepted promptly and unquestioningly the fact that the entire electrical apparatus of the city was paralyzed were those in the newspaper offices.
Despatchverb
send away towards a designated goal
From this reading Within ten minutes the _Despatch_ had messenger boys on tap instead of bells, bicycles instead of telephones, and a variety of lamps and candles in place of electricity.
electricaladjectiveUS /ɪˈlektrɪkəl/
relating to or concerned with electricity
From this reading DARKNESS AND PANIC Probably the only men in the whole of New York who accepted promptly and unquestioningly the fact that the entire electrical apparatus of the city was paralyzed were those in the newspaper offices.
electricitynounUS /ɪˌlekˈtrɪsəti/
a physical phenomenon associated with stationary or moving electrons and protons
From this reading Within ten minutes the _Despatch_ had messenger boys on tap instead of bells, bicycles instead of telephones, and a variety of lamps and candles in place of electricity.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everybody else in town was speculating why in blazes this visitation had struck them.
constituting the full quantity or extent; complete
From this reading DARKNESS AND PANIC Probably the only men in the whole of New York who accepted promptly and unquestioningly the fact that the entire electrical apparatus of the city was paralyzed were those in the newspaper offices.
environmentsnounUS /ɪnˈvaɪrənmənts/
plural of “environment” — the totality of surrounding conditions
From this reading These capable citizens, accustomed to quick adaptations to new environments and to wide reaches of the imagination, made two or three experiments, and accepted the inevitable.
every person
From this reading Everybody else in town was speculating why in blazes this visitation had struck them.
experimentsnounUS /ɪkˈsperəmənts/
plural of “experiment” — the act of conducting a controlled test or investigation
From this reading These capable citizens, accustomed to quick adaptations to new environments and to wide reaches of the imagination, made two or three experiments, and accepted the inevitable.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading DARKNESS AND PANIC Probably the only men in the whole of New York who accepted promptly and unquestioningly the fact that the entire electrical apparatus of the city was paralyzed were those in the newspaper offices.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Within ten minutes the _Despatch_ had messenger boys on tap instead of bells, bicycles instead of telephones, and a variety of lamps and candles in place of electricity.
the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses
From this reading These capable citizens, accustomed to quick adaptations to new environments and to wide reaches of the imagination, made two or three experiments, and accepted the inevitable.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading DARKNESS AND PANIC Probably the only men in the whole of New York who accepted promptly and unquestioningly the fact that the entire electrical apparatus of the city was paralyzed were those in the newspaper offices.
inevitableadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnevətəbəl/
incapable of being avoided or prevented
From this reading These capable citizens, accustomed to quick adaptations to new environments and to wide reaches of the imagination, made two or three experiments, and accepted the inevitable.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading Within ten minutes the _Despatch_ had messenger boys on tap instead of bells, bicycles instead of telephones, and a variety of lamps and candles in place of electricity.
lampsnounUS /læmps/
plural of “lamp” — an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading Within ten minutes the _Despatch_ had messenger boys on tap instead of bells, bicycles instead of telephones, and a variety of lamps and candles in place of electricity.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading These capable citizens, accustomed to quick adaptations to new environments and to wide reaches of the imagination, made two or three experiments, and accepted the inevitable.
the force of workers available
From this reading DARKNESS AND PANIC Probably the only men in the whole of New York who accepted promptly and unquestioningly the fact that the entire electrical apparatus of the city was paralyzed were those in the newspaper offices.
a person who carries a message
From this reading Within ten minutes the _Despatch_ had messenger boys on tap instead of bells, bicycles instead of telephones, and a variety of lamps and candles in place of electricity.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading Within ten minutes the _Despatch_ had messenger boys on tap instead of bells, bicycles instead of telephones, and a variety of lamps and candles in place of electricity.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading DARKNESS AND PANIC Probably the only men in the whole of New York who accepted promptly and unquestioningly the fact that the entire electrical apparatus of the city was paralyzed were those in the newspaper offices.
information about recent and important events
From this reading The _Despatch_ was out after news.
a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements
From this reading DARKNESS AND PANIC Probably the only men in the whole of New York who accepted promptly and unquestioningly the fact that the entire electrical apparatus of the city was paralyzed were those in the newspaper offices.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading DARKNESS AND PANIC Probably the only men in the whole of New York who accepted promptly and unquestioningly the fact that the entire electrical apparatus of the city was paralyzed were those in the newspaper offices.
officesnounUS /ˈɔːfəsəz/
plural of “office” — place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading DARKNESS AND PANIC Probably the only men in the whole of New York who accepted promptly and unquestioningly the fact that the entire electrical apparatus of the city was paralyzed were those in the newspaper offices.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Within ten minutes the _Despatch_ had messenger boys on tap instead of bells, bicycles instead of telephones, and a variety of lamps and candles in place of electricity.
and nothing more
From this reading DARKNESS AND PANIC Probably the only men in the whole of New York who accepted promptly and unquestioningly the fact that the entire electrical apparatus of the city was paralyzed were those in the newspaper offices.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading These capable citizens, accustomed to quick adaptations to new environments and to wide reaches of the imagination, made two or three experiments, and accepted the inevitable.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The _Despatch_ was out after news.
PANICnounUS /ˈpænɪk/
an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
From this reading DARKNESS AND PANIC Probably the only men in the whole of New York who accepted promptly and unquestioningly the fact that the entire electrical apparatus of the city was paralyzed were those in the newspaper offices.
paralyzedadjectiveUS /ˈperəlaɪzd/
affected with paralysis
From this reading DARKNESS AND PANIC Probably the only men in the whole of New York who accepted promptly and unquestioningly the fact that the entire electrical apparatus of the city was paralyzed were those in the newspaper offices.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Within ten minutes the _Despatch_ had messenger boys on tap instead of bells, bicycles instead of telephones, and a variety of lamps and candles in place of electricity.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading DARKNESS AND PANIC Probably the only men in the whole of New York who accepted promptly and unquestioningly the fact that the entire electrical apparatus of the city was paralyzed were those in the newspaper offices.
promptlyadverbUS /ˈprɑːmptli/
with little or no delay
From this reading DARKNESS AND PANIC Probably the only men in the whole of New York who accepted promptly and unquestioningly the fact that the entire electrical apparatus of the city was paralyzed were those in the newspaper offices.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading These capable citizens, accustomed to quick adaptations to new environments and to wide reaches of the imagination, made two or three experiments, and accepted the inevitable.
reachesnounUS /ˈriːtʃəz/
plural of “reach” — the limits within which something can be effective
From this reading These capable citizens, accustomed to quick adaptations to new environments and to wide reaches of the imagination, made two or three experiments, and accepted the inevitable.
speculatingverbUS /ˈspekjəleɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “speculate” — to believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds
From this reading Everybody else in town was speculating why in blazes this visitation had struck them.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading Everybody else in town was speculating why in blazes this visitation had struck them.
tapverbUS /tæp/
cut a female screw thread with a tap
From this reading Within ten minutes the _Despatch_ had messenger boys on tap instead of bells, bicycles instead of telephones, and a variety of lamps and candles in place of electricity.
telephonesnounUS /ˈteləfoʊnz/
plural of “telephone” — 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 Within ten minutes the _Despatch_ had messenger boys on tap instead of bells, bicycles instead of telephones, and a variety of lamps and candles in place of electricity.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading Within ten minutes the _Despatch_ had messenger boys on tap instead of bells, bicycles instead of telephones, and a variety of lamps and candles in place of electricity.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading DARKNESS AND PANIC Probably the only men in the whole of New York who accepted promptly and unquestioningly the fact that the entire electrical apparatus of the city was paralyzed were those in the newspaper offices.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading DARKNESS AND PANIC Probably the only men in the whole of New York who accepted promptly and unquestioningly the fact that the entire electrical apparatus of the city was paralyzed were those in the newspaper offices.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Everybody else in town was speculating why in blazes this visitation had struck them.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These capable citizens, accustomed to quick adaptations to new environments and to wide reaches of the imagination, made two or three experiments, and accepted the inevitable.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Everybody else in town was speculating why in blazes this visitation had struck them.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading DARKNESS AND PANIC Probably the only men in the whole of New York who accepted promptly and unquestioningly the fact that the entire electrical apparatus of the city was paralyzed were those in the newspaper offices.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading These capable citizens, accustomed to quick adaptations to new environments and to wide reaches of the imagination, made two or three experiments, and accepted the inevitable.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading These capable citizens, accustomed to quick adaptations to new environments and to wide reaches of the imagination, made two or three experiments, and accepted the inevitable.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading Everybody else in town was speculating why in blazes this visitation had struck them.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading These capable citizens, accustomed to quick adaptations to new environments and to wide reaches of the imagination, made two or three experiments, and accepted the inevitable.
unquestioninglyadverb
in an unquestioning manner
From this reading DARKNESS AND PANIC Probably the only men in the whole of New York who accepted promptly and unquestioningly the fact that the entire electrical apparatus of the city was paralyzed were those in the newspaper offices.
varietynounUS /vərˈaɪəti/
a collection containing a variety of sorts of things
From this reading Within ten minutes the _Despatch_ had messenger boys on tap instead of bells, bicycles instead of telephones, and a variety of lamps and candles in place of electricity.
visitationnounUS /ˌvɪzɪˈteɪʃən/
an annoying or frustrating or catastrophic event
From this reading Everybody else in town was speculating why in blazes this visitation had struck them.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading DARKNESS AND PANIC Probably the only men in the whole of New York who accepted promptly and unquestioningly the fact that the entire electrical apparatus of the city was paralyzed were those in the newspaper offices.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading DARKNESS AND PANIC Probably the only men in the whole of New York who accepted promptly and unquestioningly the fact that the entire electrical apparatus of the city was paralyzed were those in the newspaper offices.
which person or people
From this reading DARKNESS AND PANIC Probably the only men in the whole of New York who accepted promptly and unquestioningly the fact that the entire electrical apparatus of the city was paralyzed were those in the newspaper offices.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading DARKNESS AND PANIC Probably the only men in the whole of New York who accepted promptly and unquestioningly the fact that the entire electrical apparatus of the city was paralyzed were those in the newspaper offices.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Everybody else in town was speculating why in blazes this visitation had struck them.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading These capable citizens, accustomed to quick adaptations to new environments and to wide reaches of the imagination, made two or three experiments, and accepted the inevitable.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Within ten minutes the _Despatch_ had messenger boys on tap instead of bells, bicycles instead of telephones, and a variety of lamps and candles in place of electricity.
the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose
From this reading DARKNESS AND PANIC Probably the only men in the whole of New York who accepted promptly and unquestioningly the fact that the entire electrical apparatus of the city was paralyzed were those in the newspaper offices.
