used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For a whole hour had they hunted for the screw without success, and then they tried to get on without it, but that was a difficult business.
acted upon; influenced
From this reading Not that this affected the merry mood of the president as he took his place inside.
(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 What straps and ropes they had to hand were knotted and wound round the axle, but the quickly rotating nave had in a few minutes torn all to shreds, and would not go round properly, much to the detriment of the horses who now had to drag the lumbering conveyance with a wheel that would not work, through the tough, sticky morass, which made the way much more toilsome.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For a whole hour had they hunted for the screw without success, and then they tried to get on without it, but that was a difficult business.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Not that this affected the merry mood of the president as he took his place inside.
axlenounUS /ˈæksəl/
a shaft on which a wheel rotates
From this reading What straps and ropes they had to hand were knotted and wound round the axle, but the quickly rotating nave had in a few minutes torn all to shreds, and would not go round properly, much to the detriment of the horses who now had to drag the lumbering conveyance with a wheel that would not work, through the tough, sticky morass, which made the way much more toilsome.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Now what had really happened to the coach was that it had lost one of the big screws out of the hind wheel, so that the latter had come off.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading For a whole hour had they hunted for the screw without success, and then they tried to get on without it, but that was a difficult business.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading For a whole hour had they hunted for the screw without success, and then they tried to get on without it, but that was a difficult business.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading If a peasant loses a wheel-nail, he can easily find a substitute; the screw of a coach, however, is not so easily replaced.
teach and supervise (someone); act as a trainer or coach (to), as in sports
From this reading Now what had really happened to the coach was that it had lost one of the big screws out of the hind wheel, so that the latter had come off.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Now what had really happened to the coach was that it had lost one of the big screws out of the hind wheel, so that the latter had come off.
conveyancenounUS /kənˈveɪəns/
document effecting a property transfer
From this reading What straps and ropes they had to hand were knotted and wound round the axle, but the quickly rotating nave had in a few minutes torn all to shreds, and would not go round properly, much to the detriment of the horses who now had to drag the lumbering conveyance with a wheel that would not work, through the tough, sticky morass, which made the way much more toilsome.
detrimentnounUS /ˈdetrəmənt/
a damage or loss
From this reading What straps and ropes they had to hand were knotted and wound round the axle, but the quickly rotating nave had in a few minutes torn all to shreds, and would not go round properly, much to the detriment of the horses who now had to drag the lumbering conveyance with a wheel that would not work, through the tough, sticky morass, which made the way much more toilsome.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading For a whole hour had they hunted for the screw without success, and then they tried to get on without it, but that was a difficult business.
dragverbUS /dræɡ/
pull, as against a resistance
From this reading What straps and ropes they had to hand were knotted and wound round the axle, but the quickly rotating nave had in a few minutes torn all to shreds, and would not go round properly, much to the detriment of the horses who now had to drag the lumbering conveyance with a wheel that would not work, through the tough, sticky morass, which made the way much more toilsome.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading If a peasant loses a wheel-nail, he can easily find a substitute; the screw of a coach, however, is not so easily replaced.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading What straps and ropes they had to hand were knotted and wound round the axle, but the quickly rotating nave had in a few minutes torn all to shreds, and would not go round properly, much to the detriment of the horses who now had to drag the lumbering conveyance with a wheel that would not work, through the tough, sticky morass, which made the way much more toilsome.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading If a peasant loses a wheel-nail, he can easily find a substitute; the screw of a coach, however, is not so easily replaced.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a whole hour had they hunted for the screw without success, and then they tried to get on without it, but that was a difficult business.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading For a whole hour had they hunted for the screw without success, and then they tried to get on without it, but that was a difficult business.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading What straps and ropes they had to hand were knotted and wound round the axle, but the quickly rotating nave had in a few minutes torn all to shreds, and would not go round properly, much to the detriment of the horses who now had to drag the lumbering conveyance with a wheel that would not work, through the tough, sticky morass, which made the way much more toilsome.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Now what had really happened to the coach was that it had lost one of the big screws out of the hind wheel, so that the latter had come off.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading What straps and ropes they had to hand were knotted and wound round the axle, but the quickly rotating nave had in a few minutes torn all to shreds, and would not go round properly, much to the detriment of the horses who now had to drag the lumbering conveyance with a wheel that would not work, through the tough, sticky morass, which made the way much more toilsome.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading Now what had really happened to the coach was that it had lost one of the big screws out of the hind wheel, so that the latter had come off.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If a peasant loses a wheel-nail, he can easily find a substitute; the screw of a coach, however, is not so easily replaced.
hindnounUS /haɪnd/
any of several mostly spotted fishes that resemble groupers
From this reading Now what had really happened to the coach was that it had lost one of the big screws out of the hind wheel, so that the latter had come off.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Not that this affected the merry mood of the president as he took his place inside.
plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading What straps and ropes they had to hand were knotted and wound round the axle, but the quickly rotating nave had in a few minutes torn all to shreds, and would not go round properly, much to the detriment of the horses who now had to drag the lumbering conveyance with a wheel that would not work, through the tough, sticky morass, which made the way much more toilsome.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading For a whole hour had they hunted for the screw without success, and then they tried to get on without it, but that was a difficult business.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading If a peasant loses a wheel-nail, he can easily find a substitute; the screw of a coach, however, is not so easily replaced.
huntedadjectiveUS /ˈhʌntəd/
reflecting the fear or terror of one who is hunted
From this reading For a whole hour had they hunted for the screw without success, and then they tried to get on without it, but that was a difficult business.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If a peasant loses a wheel-nail, he can easily find a substitute; the screw of a coach, however, is not so easily replaced.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading What straps and ropes they had to hand were knotted and wound round the axle, but the quickly rotating nave had in a few minutes torn all to shreds, and would not go round properly, much to the detriment of the horses who now had to drag the lumbering conveyance with a wheel that would not work, through the tough, sticky morass, which made the way much more toilsome.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading Not that this affected the merry mood of the president as he took his place inside.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading If a peasant loses a wheel-nail, he can easily find a substitute; the screw of a coach, however, is not so easily replaced.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Now what had really happened to the coach was that it had lost one of the big screws out of the hind wheel, so that the latter had come off.
knottedadjectiveUS /ˈnɑːtɪd/
tied with a knot
From this reading What straps and ropes they had to hand were knotted and wound round the axle, but the quickly rotating nave had in a few minutes torn all to shreds, and would not go round properly, much to the detriment of the horses who now had to drag the lumbering conveyance with a wheel that would not work, through the tough, sticky morass, which made the way much more toilsome.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading Now what had really happened to the coach was that it had lost one of the big screws out of the hind wheel, so that the latter had come off.
losesverbUS /ˈluːzəz/
third-person singular of “lose” — fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense
From this reading If a peasant loses a wheel-nail, he can easily find a substitute; the screw of a coach, however, is not so easily replaced.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading Now what had really happened to the coach was that it had lost one of the big screws out of the hind wheel, so that the latter had come off.
lumberingnounUS /ˈlʌmbərɪŋ/
the trade of cutting or preparing or selling timber
From this reading What straps and ropes they had to hand were knotted and wound round the axle, but the quickly rotating nave had in a few minutes torn all to shreds, and would not go round properly, much to the detriment of the horses who now had to drag the lumbering conveyance with a wheel that would not work, through the tough, sticky morass, which made the way much more toilsome.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading What straps and ropes they had to hand were knotted and wound round the axle, but the quickly rotating nave had in a few minutes torn all to shreds, and would not go round properly, much to the detriment of the horses who now had to drag the lumbering conveyance with a wheel that would not work, through the tough, sticky morass, which made the way much more toilsome.
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
From this reading Not that this affected the merry mood of the president as he took his place inside.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading What straps and ropes they had to hand were knotted and wound round the axle, but the quickly rotating nave had in a few minutes torn all to shreds, and would not go round properly, much to the detriment of the horses who now had to drag the lumbering conveyance with a wheel that would not work, through the tough, sticky morass, which made the way much more toilsome.
a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading Not that this affected the merry mood of the president as he took his place inside.
morassnounUS /mərˈæs/
a soft wet area of low-lying land that sinks underfoot
From this reading What straps and ropes they had to hand were knotted and wound round the axle, but the quickly rotating nave had in a few minutes torn all to shreds, and would not go round properly, much to the detriment of the horses who now had to drag the lumbering conveyance with a wheel that would not work, through the tough, sticky morass, which made the way much more toilsome.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading What straps and ropes they had to hand were knotted and wound round the axle, but the quickly rotating nave had in a few minutes torn all to shreds, and would not go round properly, much to the detriment of the horses who now had to drag the lumbering conveyance with a wheel that would not work, through the tough, sticky morass, which made the way much more toilsome.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading What straps and ropes they had to hand were knotted and wound round the axle, but the quickly rotating nave had in a few minutes torn all to shreds, and would not go round properly, much to the detriment of the horses who now had to drag the lumbering conveyance with a wheel that would not work, through the tough, sticky morass, which made the way much more toilsome.
navenounUS /neɪv/
the central area of a church
From this reading What straps and ropes they had to hand were knotted and wound round the axle, but the quickly rotating nave had in a few minutes torn all to shreds, and would not go round properly, much to the detriment of the horses who now had to drag the lumbering conveyance with a wheel that would not work, through the tough, sticky morass, which made the way much more toilsome.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading If a peasant loses a wheel-nail, he can easily find a substitute; the screw of a coach, however, is not so easily replaced.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now what had really happened to the coach was that it had lost one of the big screws out of the hind wheel, so that the latter had come off.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Now what had really happened to the coach was that it had lost one of the big screws out of the hind wheel, so that the latter had come off.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Now what had really happened to the coach was that it had lost one of the big screws out of the hind wheel, so that the latter had come off.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading For a whole hour had they hunted for the screw without success, and then they tried to get on without it, but that was a difficult business.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Now what had really happened to the coach was that it had lost one of the big screws out of the hind wheel, so that the latter had come off.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Now what had really happened to the coach was that it had lost one of the big screws out of the hind wheel, so that the latter had come off.
peasantnounUS /ˈpezənt/
a country person
From this reading If a peasant loses a wheel-nail, he can easily find a substitute; the screw of a coach, however, is not so easily replaced.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Not that this affected the merry mood of the president as he took his place inside.
an executive officer of a firm or corporation
From this reading Not that this affected the merry mood of the president as he took his place inside.
in the right manner; correctly; suitably
From this reading What straps and ropes they had to hand were knotted and wound round the axle, but the quickly rotating nave had in a few minutes torn all to shreds, and would not go round properly, much to the detriment of the horses who now had to drag the lumbering conveyance with a wheel that would not work, through the tough, sticky morass, which made the way much more toilsome.
with speed
From this reading What straps and ropes they had to hand were knotted and wound round the axle, but the quickly rotating nave had in a few minutes torn all to shreds, and would not go round properly, much to the detriment of the horses who now had to drag the lumbering conveyance with a wheel that would not work, through the tough, sticky morass, which made the way much more toilsome.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading Now what had really happened to the coach was that it had lost one of the big screws out of the hind wheel, so that the latter had come off.
replacedverbUS /ˌriːˈpleɪst/
past form of “replace” — substitute a person or thing for (another that is broken or inefficient or lost or no longer working or yielding what is expected)
From this reading If a peasant loses a wheel-nail, he can easily find a substitute; the screw of a coach, however, is not so easily replaced.
ropesnounUS /roʊps/
plural of “rope” — a strong line
From this reading What straps and ropes they had to hand were knotted and wound round the axle, but the quickly rotating nave had in a few minutes torn all to shreds, and would not go round properly, much to the detriment of the horses who now had to drag the lumbering conveyance with a wheel that would not work, through the tough, sticky morass, which made the way much more toilsome.
rotatingverbUS /ˈroʊteɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “rotate” — turn on or around an axis or a center
From this reading What straps and ropes they had to hand were knotted and wound round the axle, but the quickly rotating nave had in a few minutes torn all to shreds, and would not go round properly, much to the detriment of the horses who now had to drag the lumbering conveyance with a wheel that would not work, through the tough, sticky morass, which made the way much more toilsome.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading What straps and ropes they had to hand were knotted and wound round the axle, but the quickly rotating nave had in a few minutes torn all to shreds, and would not go round properly, much to the detriment of the horses who now had to drag the lumbering conveyance with a wheel that would not work, through the tough, sticky morass, which made the way much more toilsome.
screwnounUS /skruː/
someone who guards prisoners
From this reading For a whole hour had they hunted for the screw without success, and then they tried to get on without it, but that was a difficult business.
screwsnounUS /skruːz/
plural of “screw” — someone who guards prisoners
From this reading Now what had really happened to the coach was that it had lost one of the big screws out of the hind wheel, so that the latter had come off.
shredsnounUS /ʃredz/
plural of “shred” — a tiny or scarcely detectable amount
From this reading What straps and ropes they had to hand were knotted and wound round the axle, but the quickly rotating nave had in a few minutes torn all to shreds, and would not go round properly, much to the detriment of the horses who now had to drag the lumbering conveyance with a wheel that would not work, through the tough, sticky morass, which made the way much more toilsome.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Now what had really happened to the coach was that it had lost one of the big screws out of the hind wheel, so that the latter had come off.
stickyadjectiveUS /ˈstɪki/
having the sticky properties of an adhesive
From this reading What straps and ropes they had to hand were knotted and wound round the axle, but the quickly rotating nave had in a few minutes torn all to shreds, and would not go round properly, much to the detriment of the horses who now had to drag the lumbering conveyance with a wheel that would not work, through the tough, sticky morass, which made the way much more toilsome.
strapsnounUS /stræps/
plural of “strap” — an elongated leather strip (or a strip of similar material) for binding things together or holding something in position
From this reading What straps and ropes they had to hand were knotted and wound round the axle, but the quickly rotating nave had in a few minutes torn all to shreds, and would not go round properly, much to the detriment of the horses who now had to drag the lumbering conveyance with a wheel that would not work, through the tough, sticky morass, which made the way much more toilsome.
substituteverbUS /ˈsʌbstətuːt/
put in the place of another; switch seemingly equivalent items
From this reading If a peasant loses a wheel-nail, he can easily find a substitute; the screw of a coach, however, is not so easily replaced.
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading For a whole hour had they hunted for the screw without success, and then they tried to get on without it, but that was a difficult business.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Now what had really happened to the coach was that it had lost one of the big screws out of the hind wheel, so that the latter had come off.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Now what had really happened to the coach was that it had lost one of the big screws out of the hind wheel, so that the latter had come off.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading For a whole hour had they hunted for the screw without success, and then they tried to get on without it, but that was a difficult business.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For a whole hour had they hunted for the screw without success, and then they tried to get on without it, but that was a difficult business.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Not that this affected the merry mood of the president as he took his place inside.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading What straps and ropes they had to hand were knotted and wound round the axle, but the quickly rotating nave had in a few minutes torn all to shreds, and would not go round properly, much to the detriment of the horses who now had to drag the lumbering conveyance with a wheel that would not work, through the tough, sticky morass, which made the way much more toilsome.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Now what had really happened to the coach was that it had lost one of the big screws out of the hind wheel, so that the latter had come off.
toilsomeadjective
characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort
From this reading What straps and ropes they had to hand were knotted and wound round the axle, but the quickly rotating nave had in a few minutes torn all to shreds, and would not go round properly, much to the detriment of the horses who now had to drag the lumbering conveyance with a wheel that would not work, through the tough, sticky morass, which made the way much more toilsome.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Not that this affected the merry mood of the president as he took his place inside.
having edges that are jagged from injury
From this reading What straps and ropes they had to hand were knotted and wound round the axle, but the quickly rotating nave had in a few minutes torn all to shreds, and would not go round properly, much to the detriment of the horses who now had to drag the lumbering conveyance with a wheel that would not work, through the tough, sticky morass, which made the way much more toilsome.
toughadjectiveUS /tʌf/
not given to gentleness or sentimentality
From this reading What straps and ropes they had to hand were knotted and wound round the axle, but the quickly rotating nave had in a few minutes torn all to shreds, and would not go round properly, much to the detriment of the horses who now had to drag the lumbering conveyance with a wheel that would not work, through the tough, sticky morass, which made the way much more toilsome.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading For a whole hour had they hunted for the screw without success, and then they tried to get on without it, but that was a difficult business.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Now what had really happened to the coach was that it had lost one of the big screws out of the hind wheel, so that the latter had come off.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading What straps and ropes they had to hand were knotted and wound round the axle, but the quickly rotating nave had in a few minutes torn all to shreds, and would not go round properly, much to the detriment of the horses who now had to drag the lumbering conveyance with a wheel that would not work, through the tough, sticky morass, which made the way much more toilsome.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading What straps and ropes they had to hand were knotted and wound round the axle, but the quickly rotating nave had in a few minutes torn all to shreds, and would not go round properly, much to the detriment of the horses who now had to drag the lumbering conveyance with a wheel that would not work, through the tough, sticky morass, which made the way much more toilsome.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Now what had really happened to the coach was that it had lost one of the big screws out of the hind wheel, so that the latter had come off.
change directions as if revolving on a pivot
From this reading Now what had really happened to the coach was that it had lost one of the big screws out of the hind wheel, so that the latter had come off.
wheel-nail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If a peasant loses a wheel-nail, he can easily find a substitute; the screw of a coach, however, is not so easily replaced.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading What straps and ropes they had to hand were knotted and wound round the axle, but the quickly rotating nave had in a few minutes torn all to shreds, and would not go round properly, much to the detriment of the horses who now had to drag the lumbering conveyance with a wheel that would not work, through the tough, sticky morass, which made the way much more toilsome.
which person or people
From this reading What straps and ropes they had to hand were knotted and wound round the axle, but the quickly rotating nave had in a few minutes torn all to shreds, and would not go round properly, much to the detriment of the horses who now had to drag the lumbering conveyance with a wheel that would not work, through the tough, sticky morass, which made the way much more toilsome.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading For a whole hour had they hunted for the screw without success, and then they tried to get on without it, but that was a difficult business.
in the company of; together with
From this reading What straps and ropes they had to hand were knotted and wound round the axle, but the quickly rotating nave had in a few minutes torn all to shreds, and would not go round properly, much to the detriment of the horses who now had to drag the lumbering conveyance with a wheel that would not work, through the tough, sticky morass, which made the way much more toilsome.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading For a whole hour had they hunted for the screw without success, and then they tried to get on without it, but that was a difficult business.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading What straps and ropes they had to hand were knotted and wound round the axle, but the quickly rotating nave had in a few minutes torn all to shreds, and would not go round properly, much to the detriment of the horses who now had to drag the lumbering conveyance with a wheel that would not work, through the tough, sticky morass, which made the way much more toilsome.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading What straps and ropes they had to hand were knotted and wound round the axle, but the quickly rotating nave had in a few minutes torn all to shreds, and would not go round properly, much to the detriment of the horses who now had to drag the lumbering conveyance with a wheel that would not work, through the tough, sticky morass, which made the way much more toilsome.
an injury to living tissue (especially an injury involving a cut or break in the skin)
From this reading What straps and ropes they had to hand were knotted and wound round the axle, but the quickly rotating nave had in a few minutes torn all to shreds, and would not go round properly, much to the detriment of the horses who now had to drag the lumbering conveyance with a wheel that would not work, through the tough, sticky morass, which made the way much more toilsome.
