Chapter I

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

From this reading New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company IT was a nasty night, with a drizzling rain nearly as thick as a fog--a rain which obscured the signals and left the rails so slippery that a quick stop was almost impossible--yet just the sort of night to make a quick stop imperative if disaster were to be averted.

acted upon; influenced

From this reading Young John Steele, station-master, telegrapher, ticket-agent, and man-of-all-work in the lone shanty known on the railway map as Hitchen’s Siding, ignored by all other maps, stood beside the telegraph instrument wondering whether the rain had affected the efficiency of the wires, or whether the train despatcher had gone crazy.

(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 Young John Steele, station-master, telegrapher, ticket-agent, and man-of-all-work in the lone shanty known on the railway map as Hitchen’s Siding, ignored by all other maps, stood beside the telegraph instrument wondering whether the rain had affected the efficiency of the wires, or whether the train despatcher had gone crazy.

make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen

From this reading All he knew was that she was trying to make up lost time as well as the greasy metals would allow, and here he stood without orders!

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company IT was a nasty night, with a drizzling rain nearly as thick as a fog--a rain which obscured the signals and left the rails so slippery that a quick stop was almost impossible--yet just the sort of night to make a quick stop imperative if disaster were to be averted.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading Number Three, known to the outside world as the “Pacific Express,” the fastest train on the road, was already forty minutes overdue, tearing westward through the night somewhere, and John did not know where.

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

From this reading New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company IT was a nasty night, with a drizzling rain nearly as thick as a fog--a rain which obscured the signals and left the rails so slippery that a quick stop was almost impossible--yet just the sort of night to make a quick stop imperative if disaster were to be averted.

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

From this reading New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company IT was a nasty night, with a drizzling rain nearly as thick as a fog--a rain which obscured the signals and left the rails so slippery that a quick stop was almost impossible--yet just the sort of night to make a quick stop imperative if disaster were to be averted.

past form of “avert” — prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening

From this reading New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company IT was a nasty night, with a drizzling rain nearly as thick as a fog--a rain which obscured the signals and left the rails so slippery that a quick stop was almost impossible--yet just the sort of night to make a quick stop imperative if disaster were to be averted.

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

From this reading New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company IT was a nasty night, with a drizzling rain nearly as thick as a fog--a rain which obscured the signals and left the rails so slippery that a quick stop was almost impossible--yet just the sort of night to make a quick stop imperative if disaster were to be averted.

next to; at the side of

From this reading Young John Steele, station-master, telegrapher, ticket-agent, and man-of-all-work in the lone shanty known on the railway map as Hitchen’s Siding, ignored by all other maps, stood beside the telegraph instrument wondering whether the rain had affected the efficiency of the wires, or whether the train despatcher had gone crazy.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Young John Steele, station-master, telegrapher, ticket-agent, and man-of-all-work in the lone shanty known on the railway map as Hitchen’s Siding, ignored by all other maps, stood beside the telegraph instrument wondering whether the rain had affected the efficiency of the wires, or whether the train despatcher had gone crazy.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading Here was Number Sixteen, the freight from the west, coming in, and there were no orders for her.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company IT was a nasty night, with a drizzling rain nearly as thick as a fog--a rain which obscured the signals and left the rails so slippery that a quick stop was almost impossible--yet just the sort of night to make a quick stop imperative if disaster were to be averted.

affected with madness or insanity

From this reading Young John Steele, station-master, telegrapher, ticket-agent, and man-of-all-work in the lone shanty known on the railway map as Hitchen’s Siding, ignored by all other maps, stood beside the telegraph instrument wondering whether the rain had affected the efficiency of the wires, or whether the train despatcher had gone crazy.

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

From this reading Young John Steele, station-master, telegrapher, ticket-agent, and man-of-all-work in the lone shanty known on the railway map as Hitchen’s Siding, ignored by all other maps, stood beside the telegraph instrument wondering whether the rain had affected the efficiency of the wires, or whether the train despatcher had gone crazy.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Number Three, known to the outside world as the “Pacific Express,” the fastest train on the road, was already forty minutes overdue, tearing westward through the night somewhere, and John did not know where.

a state of extreme (usually irremediable) ruin and misfortune

From this reading New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company IT was a nasty night, with a drizzling rain nearly as thick as a fog--a rain which obscured the signals and left the rails so slippery that a quick stop was almost impossible--yet just the sort of night to make a quick stop imperative if disaster were to be averted.

(of rain) falling lightly in very small drops

From this reading New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company IT was a nasty night, with a drizzling rain nearly as thick as a fog--a rain which obscured the signals and left the rails so slippery that a quick stop was almost impossible--yet just the sort of night to make a quick stop imperative if disaster were to be averted.

the ratio of the output to the input of any system

From this reading Young John Steele, station-master, telegrapher, ticket-agent, and man-of-all-work in the lone shanty known on the railway map as Hitchen’s Siding, ignored by all other maps, stood beside the telegraph instrument wondering whether the rain had affected the efficiency of the wires, or whether the train despatcher had gone crazy.

give expression to

From this reading Number Three, known to the outside world as the “Pacific Express,” the fastest train on the road, was already forty minutes overdue, tearing westward through the night somewhere, and John did not know where.

most quickly

From this reading Number Three, known to the outside world as the “Pacific Express,” the fastest train on the road, was already forty minutes overdue, tearing westward through the night somewhere, and John did not know where.

droplets of water vapor suspended in the air near the ground

From this reading New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company IT was a nasty night, with a drizzling rain nearly as thick as a fog--a rain which obscured the signals and left the rails so slippery that a quick stop was almost impossible--yet just the sort of night to make a quick stop imperative if disaster were to be averted.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Here was Number Sixteen, the freight from the west, coming in, and there were no orders for her.

being ten more than thirty

From this reading Number Three, known to the outside world as the “Pacific Express,” the fastest train on the road, was already forty minutes overdue, tearing westward through the night somewhere, and John did not know where.

a town in northern Maryland to the west of Baltimore

From this reading New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company IT was a nasty night, with a drizzling rain nearly as thick as a fog--a rain which obscured the signals and left the rails so slippery that a quick stop was almost impossible--yet just the sort of night to make a quick stop imperative if disaster were to be averted.

goods carried by a large vehicle

From this reading Here was Number Sixteen, the freight from the west, coming in, and there were no orders for her.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Here was Number Sixteen, the freight from the west, coming in, and there were no orders for her.

destroyed or killed

From this reading Young John Steele, station-master, telegrapher, ticket-agent, and man-of-all-work in the lone shanty known on the railway map as Hitchen’s Siding, ignored by all other maps, stood beside the telegraph instrument wondering whether the rain had affected the efficiency of the wires, or whether the train despatcher had gone crazy.

containing an unusual amount of grease or oil

From this reading All he knew was that she was trying to make up lost time as well as the greasy metals would allow, and here he stood without orders!

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

From this reading Young John Steele, station-master, telegrapher, ticket-agent, and man-of-all-work in the lone shanty known on the railway map as Hitchen’s Siding, ignored by all other maps, stood beside the telegraph instrument wondering whether the rain had affected the efficiency of the wires, or whether the train despatcher had gone crazy.

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

From this reading All he knew was that she was trying to make up lost time as well as the greasy metals would allow, and here he stood without orders!

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Here was Number Sixteen, the freight from the west, coming in, and there were no orders for her.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading Here was Number Sixteen, the freight from the west, coming in, and there were no orders for her.

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

From this reading Young John Steele, station-master, telegrapher, ticket-agent, and man-of-all-work in the lone shanty known on the railway map as Hitchen’s Siding, ignored by all other maps, stood beside the telegraph instrument wondering whether the rain had affected the efficiency of the wires, or whether the train despatcher had gone crazy.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company IT was a nasty night, with a drizzling rain nearly as thick as a fog--a rain which obscured the signals and left the rails so slippery that a quick stop was almost impossible--yet just the sort of night to make a quick stop imperative if disaster were to be averted.

disregarded

From this reading Young John Steele, station-master, telegrapher, ticket-agent, and man-of-all-work in the lone shanty known on the railway map as Hitchen’s Siding, ignored by all other maps, stood beside the telegraph instrument wondering whether the rain had affected the efficiency of the wires, or whether the train despatcher had gone crazy.

requiring attention or action

From this reading New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company IT was a nasty night, with a drizzling rain nearly as thick as a fog--a rain which obscured the signals and left the rails so slippery that a quick stop was almost impossible--yet just the sort of night to make a quick stop imperative if disaster were to be averted.

not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with

From this reading New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company IT was a nasty night, with a drizzling rain nearly as thick as a fog--a rain which obscured the signals and left the rails so slippery that a quick stop was almost impossible--yet just the sort of night to make a quick stop imperative if disaster were to be averted.

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

From this reading Young John Steele, station-master, telegrapher, ticket-agent, and man-of-all-work in the lone shanty known on the railway map as Hitchen’s Siding, ignored by all other maps, stood beside the telegraph instrument wondering whether the rain had affected the efficiency of the wires, or whether the train despatcher had gone crazy.

a device that requires skill for proper use

From this reading Young John Steele, station-master, telegrapher, ticket-agent, and man-of-all-work in the lone shanty known on the railway map as Hitchen’s Siding, ignored by all other maps, stood beside the telegraph instrument wondering whether the rain had affected the efficiency of the wires, or whether the train despatcher had gone crazy.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company IT was a nasty night, with a drizzling rain nearly as thick as a fog--a rain which obscured the signals and left the rails so slippery that a quick stop was almost impossible--yet just the sort of night to make a quick stop imperative if disaster were to be averted.

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading Young John Steele, station-master, telegrapher, ticket-agent, and man-of-all-work in the lone shanty known on the railway map as Hitchen’s Siding, ignored by all other maps, stood beside the telegraph instrument wondering whether the rain had affected the efficiency of the wires, or whether the train despatcher had gone crazy.

and nothing more

From this reading New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company IT was a nasty night, with a drizzling rain nearly as thick as a fog--a rain which obscured the signals and left the rails so slippery that a quick stop was almost impossible--yet just the sort of night to make a quick stop imperative if disaster were to be averted.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading All he knew was that she was trying to make up lost time as well as the greasy metals would allow, and here he stood without orders!

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading Number Three, known to the outside world as the “Pacific Express,” the fastest train on the road, was already forty minutes overdue, tearing westward through the night somewhere, and John did not know where.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading Young John Steele, station-master, telegrapher, ticket-agent, and man-of-all-work in the lone shanty known on the railway map as Hitchen’s Siding, ignored by all other maps, stood beside the telegraph instrument wondering whether the rain had affected the efficiency of the wires, or whether the train despatcher had gone crazy.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company IT was a nasty night, with a drizzling rain nearly as thick as a fog--a rain which obscured the signals and left the rails so slippery that a quick stop was almost impossible--yet just the sort of night to make a quick stop imperative if disaster were to be averted.

lacking companions or companionship

From this reading Young John Steele, station-master, telegrapher, ticket-agent, and man-of-all-work in the lone shanty known on the railway map as Hitchen’s Siding, ignored by all other maps, stood beside the telegraph instrument wondering whether the rain had affected the efficiency of the wires, or whether the train despatcher had gone crazy.

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

From this reading All he knew was that she was trying to make up lost time as well as the greasy metals would allow, and here he stood without orders!

engage in

From this reading New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company IT was a nasty night, with a drizzling rain nearly as thick as a fog--a rain which obscured the signals and left the rails so slippery that a quick stop was almost impossible--yet just the sort of night to make a quick stop imperative if disaster were to be averted.

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

From this reading Young John Steele, station-master, telegrapher, ticket-agent, and man-of-all-work in the lone shanty known on the railway map as Hitchen’s Siding, ignored by all other maps, stood beside the telegraph instrument wondering whether the rain had affected the efficiency of the wires, or whether the train despatcher had gone crazy.

make a map of; show or establish the features of details of

From this reading Young John Steele, station-master, telegrapher, ticket-agent, and man-of-all-work in the lone shanty known on the railway map as Hitchen’s Siding, ignored by all other maps, stood beside the telegraph instrument wondering whether the rain had affected the efficiency of the wires, or whether the train despatcher had gone crazy.

plural of “map” — a diagrammatic representation of the earth's surface (or part of it)

From this reading Young John Steele, station-master, telegrapher, ticket-agent, and man-of-all-work in the lone shanty known on the railway map as Hitchen’s Siding, ignored by all other maps, stood beside the telegraph instrument wondering whether the rain had affected the efficiency of the wires, or whether the train despatcher had gone crazy.

plural of “metal” — any of several chemical elements that are usually shiny solids that conduct heat or electricity and can be formed into sheets etc.

From this reading All he knew was that she was trying to make up lost time as well as the greasy metals would allow, and here he stood without orders!

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading Number Three, known to the outside world as the “Pacific Express,” the fastest train on the road, was already forty minutes overdue, tearing westward through the night somewhere, and John did not know where.

offensive or even (of persons) malicious

From this reading New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company IT was a nasty night, with a drizzling rain nearly as thick as a fog--a rain which obscured the signals and left the rails so slippery that a quick stop was almost impossible--yet just the sort of night to make a quick stop imperative if disaster were to be averted.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company IT was a nasty night, with a drizzling rain nearly as thick as a fog--a rain which obscured the signals and left the rails so slippery that a quick stop was almost impossible--yet just the sort of night to make a quick stop imperative if disaster were to be averted.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company IT was a nasty night, with a drizzling rain nearly as thick as a fog--a rain which obscured the signals and left the rails so slippery that a quick stop was almost impossible--yet just the sort of night to make a quick stop imperative if disaster were to be averted.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company IT was a nasty night, with a drizzling rain nearly as thick as a fog--a rain which obscured the signals and left the rails so slippery that a quick stop was almost impossible--yet just the sort of night to make a quick stop imperative if disaster were to be averted.

not any; not one

From this reading Here was Number Sixteen, the freight from the west, coming in, and there were no orders for her.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Number Three, known to the outside world as the “Pacific Express,” the fastest train on the road, was already forty minutes overdue, tearing westward through the night somewhere, and John did not know where.

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading Here was Number Sixteen, the freight from the west, coming in, and there were no orders for her.

past form of “obscure” — make less visible or unclear

From this reading New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company IT was a nasty night, with a drizzling rain nearly as thick as a fog--a rain which obscured the signals and left the rails so slippery that a quick stop was almost impossible--yet just the sort of night to make a quick stop imperative if disaster were to be averted.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company IT was a nasty night, with a drizzling rain nearly as thick as a fog--a rain which obscured the signals and left the rails so slippery that a quick stop was almost impossible--yet just the sort of night to make a quick stop imperative if disaster were to be averted.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Young John Steele, station-master, telegrapher, ticket-agent, and man-of-all-work in the lone shanty known on the railway map as Hitchen’s Siding, ignored by all other maps, stood beside the telegraph instrument wondering whether the rain had affected the efficiency of the wires, or whether the train despatcher had gone crazy.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Young John Steele, station-master, telegrapher, ticket-agent, and man-of-all-work in the lone shanty known on the railway map as Hitchen’s Siding, ignored by all other maps, stood beside the telegraph instrument wondering whether the rain had affected the efficiency of the wires, or whether the train despatcher had gone crazy.

plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading Here was Number Sixteen, the freight from the west, coming in, and there were no orders for her.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Young John Steele, station-master, telegrapher, ticket-agent, and man-of-all-work in the lone shanty known on the railway map as Hitchen’s Siding, ignored by all other maps, stood beside the telegraph instrument wondering whether the rain had affected the efficiency of the wires, or whether the train despatcher had gone crazy.

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading Number Three, known to the outside world as the “Pacific Express,” the fastest train on the road, was already forty minutes overdue, tearing westward through the night somewhere, and John did not know where.

past due; not paid at the scheduled time

From this reading Number Three, known to the outside world as the “Pacific Express,” the fastest train on the road, was already forty minutes overdue, tearing westward through the night somewhere, and John did not know where.

the largest ocean in the world

From this reading Number Three, known to the outside world as the “Pacific Express,” the fastest train on the road, was already forty minutes overdue, tearing westward through the night somewhere, and John did not know where.

accomplished rapidly and without delay

From this reading New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company IT was a nasty night, with a drizzling rain nearly as thick as a fog--a rain which obscured the signals and left the rails so slippery that a quick stop was almost impossible--yet just the sort of night to make a quick stop imperative if disaster were to be averted.

a bar or pair of parallel bars of rolled steel making the railway along which railroad cars or other vehicles can roll

From this reading New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company IT was a nasty night, with a drizzling rain nearly as thick as a fog--a rain which obscured the signals and left the rails so slippery that a quick stop was almost impossible--yet just the sort of night to make a quick stop imperative if disaster were to be averted.

line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight

From this reading Young John Steele, station-master, telegrapher, ticket-agent, and man-of-all-work in the lone shanty known on the railway map as Hitchen’s Siding, ignored by all other maps, stood beside the telegraph instrument wondering whether the rain had affected the efficiency of the wires, or whether the train despatcher had gone crazy.

water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company IT was a nasty night, with a drizzling rain nearly as thick as a fog--a rain which obscured the signals and left the rails so slippery that a quick stop was almost impossible--yet just the sort of night to make a quick stop imperative if disaster were to be averted.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading Number Three, known to the outside world as the “Pacific Express,” the fastest train on the road, was already forty minutes overdue, tearing westward through the night somewhere, and John did not know where.

small crude shelter used as a dwelling

From this reading Young John Steele, station-master, telegrapher, ticket-agent, and man-of-all-work in the lone shanty known on the railway map as Hitchen’s Siding, ignored by all other maps, stood beside the telegraph instrument wondering whether the rain had affected the efficiency of the wires, or whether the train despatcher had gone crazy.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading All he knew was that she was trying to make up lost time as well as the greasy metals would allow, and here he stood without orders!

a short stretch of railroad track used to store rolling stock or enable trains on the same line to pass

From this reading Young John Steele, station-master, telegrapher, ticket-agent, and man-of-all-work in the lone shanty known on the railway map as Hitchen’s Siding, ignored by all other maps, stood beside the telegraph instrument wondering whether the rain had affected the efficiency of the wires, or whether the train despatcher had gone crazy.

plural of “signal” — any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message

From this reading New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company IT was a nasty night, with a drizzling rain nearly as thick as a fog--a rain which obscured the signals and left the rails so slippery that a quick stop was almost impossible--yet just the sort of night to make a quick stop imperative if disaster were to be averted.

being one more than fifteen

From this reading Here was Number Sixteen, the freight from the west, coming in, and there were no orders for her.

causing or tending to cause things to slip or slide

From this reading New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company IT was a nasty night, with a drizzling rain nearly as thick as a fog--a rain which obscured the signals and left the rails so slippery that a quick stop was almost impossible--yet just the sort of night to make a quick stop imperative if disaster were to be averted.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company IT was a nasty night, with a drizzling rain nearly as thick as a fog--a rain which obscured the signals and left the rails so slippery that a quick stop was almost impossible--yet just the sort of night to make a quick stop imperative if disaster were to be averted.

in or at or to some place

From this reading Number Three, known to the outside world as the “Pacific Express,” the fastest train on the road, was already forty minutes overdue, tearing westward through the night somewhere, and John did not know where.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company IT was a nasty night, with a drizzling rain nearly as thick as a fog--a rain which obscured the signals and left the rails so slippery that a quick stop was almost impossible--yet just the sort of night to make a quick stop imperative if disaster were to be averted.

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

From this reading Young John Steele, station-master, telegrapher, ticket-agent, and man-of-all-work in the lone shanty known on the railway map as Hitchen’s Siding, ignored by all other maps, stood beside the telegraph instrument wondering whether the rain had affected the efficiency of the wires, or whether the train despatcher had gone crazy.

English writer (1672-1729)

From this reading Young John Steele, station-master, telegrapher, ticket-agent, and man-of-all-work in the lone shanty known on the railway map as Hitchen’s Siding, ignored by all other maps, stood beside the telegraph instrument wondering whether the rain had affected the efficiency of the wires, or whether the train despatcher had gone crazy.

third-person singular of “stoke” — stir up or tend; of a fire

From this reading New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company IT was a nasty night, with a drizzling rain nearly as thick as a fog--a rain which obscured the signals and left the rails so slippery that a quick stop was almost impossible--yet just the sort of night to make a quick stop imperative if disaster were to be averted.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading Young John Steele, station-master, telegrapher, ticket-agent, and man-of-all-work in the lone shanty known on the railway map as Hitchen’s Siding, ignored by all other maps, stood beside the telegraph instrument wondering whether the rain had affected the efficiency of the wires, or whether the train despatcher had gone crazy.

come to a halt, stop moving

From this reading New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company IT was a nasty night, with a drizzling rain nearly as thick as a fog--a rain which obscured the signals and left the rails so slippery that a quick stop was almost impossible--yet just the sort of night to make a quick stop imperative if disaster were to be averted.

shedding tears

From this reading Number Three, known to the outside world as the “Pacific Express,” the fastest train on the road, was already forty minutes overdue, tearing westward through the night somewhere, and John did not know where.

apparatus used to communicate at a distance over a wire (usually in Morse code)

From this reading Young John Steele, station-master, telegrapher, ticket-agent, and man-of-all-work in the lone shanty known on the railway map as Hitchen’s Siding, ignored by all other maps, stood beside the telegraph instrument wondering whether the rain had affected the efficiency of the wires, or whether the train despatcher had gone crazy.

someone who transmits messages by telegraph

From this reading Young John Steele, station-master, telegrapher, ticket-agent, and man-of-all-work in the lone shanty known on the railway map as Hitchen’s Siding, ignored by all other maps, stood beside the telegraph instrument wondering whether the rain had affected the efficiency of the wires, or whether the train despatcher had gone crazy.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company IT was a nasty night, with a drizzling rain nearly as thick as a fog--a rain which obscured the signals and left the rails so slippery that a quick stop was almost impossible--yet just the sort of night to make a quick stop imperative if disaster were to be averted.

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

From this reading New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company IT was a nasty night, with a drizzling rain nearly as thick as a fog--a rain which obscured the signals and left the rails so slippery that a quick stop was almost impossible--yet just the sort of night to make a quick stop imperative if disaster were to be averted.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Here was Number Sixteen, the freight from the west, coming in, and there were no orders for her.

not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions

From this reading New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company IT was a nasty night, with a drizzling rain nearly as thick as a fog--a rain which obscured the signals and left the rails so slippery that a quick stop was almost impossible--yet just the sort of night to make a quick stop imperative if disaster were to be averted.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading Number Three, known to the outside world as the “Pacific Express,” the fastest train on the road, was already forty minutes overdue, tearing westward through the night somewhere, and John did not know where.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Number Three, known to the outside world as the “Pacific Express,” the fastest train on the road, was already forty minutes overdue, tearing westward through the night somewhere, and John did not know where.

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

From this reading Young John Steele, station-master, telegrapher, ticket-agent, and man-of-all-work in the lone shanty known on the railway map as Hitchen’s Siding, ignored by all other maps, stood beside the telegraph instrument wondering whether the rain had affected the efficiency of the wires, or whether the train despatcher had gone crazy.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading All he knew was that she was trying to make up lost time as well as the greasy metals would allow, and here he stood without orders!

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

From this reading New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company IT was a nasty night, with a drizzling rain nearly as thick as a fog--a rain which obscured the signals and left the rails so slippery that a quick stop was almost impossible--yet just the sort of night to make a quick stop imperative if disaster were to be averted.

create by training and teaching

From this reading Young John Steele, station-master, telegrapher, ticket-agent, and man-of-all-work in the lone shanty known on the railway map as Hitchen’s Siding, ignored by all other maps, stood beside the telegraph instrument wondering whether the rain had affected the efficiency of the wires, or whether the train despatcher had gone crazy.

hard to endure

From this reading All he knew was that she was trying to make up lost time as well as the greasy metals would allow, and here he stood without orders!

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading All he knew was that she was trying to make up lost time as well as the greasy metals would allow, and here he stood without orders!

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

From this reading New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company IT was a nasty night, with a drizzling rain nearly as thick as a fog--a rain which obscured the signals and left the rails so slippery that a quick stop was almost impossible--yet just the sort of night to make a quick stop imperative if disaster were to be averted.

(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 All he knew was that she was trying to make up lost time as well as the greasy metals would allow, and here he stood without orders!

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company IT was a nasty night, with a drizzling rain nearly as thick as a fog--a rain which obscured the signals and left the rails so slippery that a quick stop was almost impossible--yet just the sort of night to make a quick stop imperative if disaster were to be averted.

the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America

From this reading Here was Number Sixteen, the freight from the west, coming in, and there were no orders for her.

toward the west

From this reading Number Three, known to the outside world as the “Pacific Express,” the fastest train on the road, was already forty minutes overdue, tearing westward through the night somewhere, and John did not know where.

in or at the place that

From this reading Number Three, known to the outside world as the “Pacific Express,” the fastest train on the road, was already forty minutes overdue, tearing westward through the night somewhere, and John did not know where.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading Young John Steele, station-master, telegrapher, ticket-agent, and man-of-all-work in the lone shanty known on the railway map as Hitchen’s Siding, ignored by all other maps, stood beside the telegraph instrument wondering whether the rain had affected the efficiency of the wires, or whether the train despatcher had gone crazy.

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

From this reading New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company IT was a nasty night, with a drizzling rain nearly as thick as a fog--a rain which obscured the signals and left the rails so slippery that a quick stop was almost impossible--yet just the sort of night to make a quick stop imperative if disaster were to be averted.

plural of “wire” — ligament made of metal and used to fasten things or make cages or fences etc

From this reading Young John Steele, station-master, telegrapher, ticket-agent, and man-of-all-work in the lone shanty known on the railway map as Hitchen’s Siding, ignored by all other maps, stood beside the telegraph instrument wondering whether the rain had affected the efficiency of the wires, or whether the train despatcher had gone crazy.

in the company of; together with

From this reading New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company IT was a nasty night, with a drizzling rain nearly as thick as a fog--a rain which obscured the signals and left the rails so slippery that a quick stop was almost impossible--yet just the sort of night to make a quick stop imperative if disaster were to be averted.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading All he knew was that she was trying to make up lost time as well as the greasy metals would allow, and here he stood without orders!

showing curiosity

From this reading Young John Steele, station-master, telegrapher, ticket-agent, and man-of-all-work in the lone shanty known on the railway map as Hitchen’s Siding, ignored by all other maps, stood beside the telegraph instrument wondering whether the rain had affected the efficiency of the wires, or whether the train despatcher had gone crazy.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading Number Three, known to the outside world as the “Pacific Express,” the fastest train on the road, was already forty minutes overdue, tearing westward through the night somewhere, and John did not know where.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading All he knew was that she was trying to make up lost time as well as the greasy metals would allow, and here he stood without orders!

but in spite of that

From this reading New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company IT was a nasty night, with a drizzling rain nearly as thick as a fog--a rain which obscured the signals and left the rails so slippery that a quick stop was almost impossible--yet just the sort of night to make a quick stop imperative if disaster were to be averted.

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 New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company IT was a nasty night, with a drizzling rain nearly as thick as a fog--a rain which obscured the signals and left the rails so slippery that a quick stop was almost impossible--yet just the sort of night to make a quick stop imperative if disaster were to be averted.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Young John Steele, station-master, telegrapher, ticket-agent, and man-of-all-work in the lone shanty known on the railway map as Hitchen’s Siding, ignored by all other maps, stood beside the telegraph instrument wondering whether the rain had affected the efficiency of the wires, or whether the train despatcher had gone crazy.